Seating system

Abstract

In one or more embodiments, a dining chair is provided having a frame, a seat operably connected to the frame, a backrest operably connected to the frame, a reclining mechanism, and a counterbalance assembly positioned within the backrest, among other components. The backrest is configured to move between an upright position and a reclined position. In one or more arrangements, the counterbalance assembly is configured to provide a counterbalance force to move the backrest to the upright position in absence of an opposing force.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A seating system, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat;   the seat operably connected to the frame;   a backrest;   the backrest having a hollow interior;   a reclining mechanism;
 the reclining mechanism having a counterbalance assembly;
 the counterbalance assembly configured to apply a bias force to the backrest; 
 
   wherein the backrest is operably connected to the frame by the reclining mechanism;   wherein the reclining mechanism is configured to move the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the counterbalance assembly is positioned within the hollow interior of the backrest. 
     
     
         3 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the reclining mechanism is positioned within the hollow interior of the backrest. 
     
     
         4 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the backrest is configured to recline anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees relative to the upright position. 
     
     
         5 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the backrest is configured to recline anywhere from 0 to 45 degrees relative to the upright position. 
     
     
         6 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the backrest is configured to recline anywhere from 7 to 23 degrees relative to the upright position. 
     
     
         7 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the backrest is configured to recline anywhere from 9 to 18 degrees relative to the upright position. 
     
     
         8 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward. 
     
     
         9 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, an upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward. 
     
     
         10 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, the upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, an upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 wherein the backrest provides constant lumbar support when the backrest is moved between the upright position and the reclined position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 wherein the backrest provides constant lumbar support when the backrest is reclined anywhere from 7 to 23 degrees relative to the upright position. 
 
     
     
         12 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 while the backrest is moving, the user's back and the backrest move in unison. 
 
     
     
         13 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 while the backrest is moving, a point on the user's back does not move relative to a point on the backrest of the chair. 
 
     
     
         14 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 while the backrest is moving, a lumbar region of the user's back remains in contact with the lower end of the backrest, with relatively little or no motion between the lower end of the backrest and the lumbar region of the user's back. 
 
     
     
         15 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward;
 wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward; and 
 while the backrest is moving, a point in the lumbar region of the user's back remains in contact with a point on the lower end of the backrest, with no relative movement between the point in the lumbar region of the user's back and the point on the lower end of the backrest. 
 
     
     
         16 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a desired reclining position, a force applied by the user to the backrest is approximately equal to the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a desired reclining position, a force applied by the user to the backrest is approximately balanced with the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a desired reclining position, a net moment on the backrest is approximately zero. 
     
     
         20 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a desired reclining position, the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly keeps the backrest steady while the user is in the reclined position. 
     
     
         21 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a reclining position between 7 and 23 degrees from the upright position, a force applied by the user to the backrest is approximately equal to the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a reclining position between 7 and 23 degrees from the upright position, a force applied by the user to the backrest is approximately balanced with the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a reclining position between 7 and 23 degrees from the upright position, a net moment on the backrest is approximately zero. 
     
     
         24 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the user is in a reclining position between 7 and 23 degrees from the upright position, the bias force applied by the counterbalance assembly keeps the backrest steady while the user is in the reclined position. 
     
     
         25 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, the seat remains stationary. 
     
     
         26 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, there is no translation of the seat. 
     
     
         27 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, there is no rotation of the seat. 
     
     
         28 . The seating system of  claim 1  wherein when the backrest is moved between the upright position and the reclined position, there is no translation or rotation of the seat. 
     
     
         29 . A seating system, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat;   the seat operably connected to the frame;   a backrest;   the backrest having a rear support member and a front support member;   wherein the rear support member and the front support member operably connect to form a hollow interior;   a reclining mechanism;
 the reclining mechanism having a counterbalance assembly; 
 the counterbalance assembly configured to apply a bias force to the backrest; 
   wherein the backrest is operably connected to the frame by the reclining mechanism;   wherein the reclining mechanism is configured to move the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the frame;   wherein the counterbalance assembly is not visible from a front of the seating system, a back of the seating system, sides of the seating system, or a top of the seating system;   wherein the counterbalance assembly is accessible from a bottom of the backrest; and   wherein the counterbalance assembly is positioned above the bottom of the backrest.   
     
     
         30 . The seating system of  claim 29  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are removably connected. 
     
     
         31 . The seating system of  claim 29  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are operably connected via a bracket. 
     
     
         32 . The seating system of  claim 29  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are operably connected via connectors. 
     
     
         33 . A seating system, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat;   the seat operably connected to the frame;   a backrest;   the backrest having a rear support member and a front support member;   wherein the rear support member and the front support member operably connect to form a hollow interior;   wherein a bottom of the backrest includes a recess between the rear support member and the front support member;   a reclining mechanism;
 the reclining mechanism having a counterbalance assembly; 
 the counterbalance assembly configured to apply a bias force to the backrest; 
   wherein the backrest is operably connected to the frame by the reclining mechanism;   wherein the reclining mechanism is configured to move the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the frame;   wherein the counterbalance assembly is not visible from a front of the seating system, a back of the seating system, sides of the seating system, or a top of the seating system;   wherein a portion of the counterbalance assembly is positioned in the recess between the rear support member and the front support member; and   wherein the counterbalance assembly is accessible from the bottom of the backrest through the recess between the rear support member and the front support member.   
     
     
         34 . The seating system of  claim 33  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are removably connected. 
     
     
         35 . The seating system of  claim 33  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are operably connected via a bracket. 
     
     
         36 . The seating system of  claim 33  wherein the rear support member and the front support member are operably connected via connectors. 
     
     
         37 . A seating system, comprising:
 a frame;   a seat;   the seat operably connected to the frame;   a backrest;   a reclining mechanism;   the reclining mechanism having a counterbalance assembly;
 the counterbalance assembly configured to apply a bias force to the backrest; 
   wherein the backrest is operably connected to the frame by the reclining mechanism;   wherein the reclining mechanism is configured to move the backrest between an upright position and a reclined position relative to the frame; and   wherein when the backrest is moved between the upright position and a reclining position, a point in the lumbar region of the user's back remains in contact with a point on the lower end of the backrest.   
     
     
         38 . The seating system of  claim 37  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward. 
     
     
         39 . The seating system of  claim 37  wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, an upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward. 
     
     
         40 . The seating system of  claim 37  wherein when the backrest is moved to the upright position, an upper end of the backrest moves upward and forward and wherein when the backrest is moved from the upright position to a reclining position, the upper end of the backrest moves downward and rearward.