Seating arrangement

Abstract

An improved seating arrangement having a pair of rigid sides which include a back portion and a seat portion. Flexible webbing members extend between the rigid sides in the back and seat portions. Various arrangements are provided for increasing and decreasing the length and tension of the flexible webbing to provide a three dimensional variation in the contour of the flexible webbing in the back and/or seat portion.

1. An improved adjustable seating arrangement comprising, in combination:
 a frame member having a back portion and a seat portion;  
 said back portion comprising a first and a second rigid support element, in spaced apart, substantially parallel relationship, each of said first and second rigid support element comprising a first and a second rigid brace member in spaced apart relationship and said first and said second rigid support element defining a plane, said first and said second rigid support elements defining a seating back support;  
 said seat portion comprising a third and a fourth rigid support element in spaced apart relationship and each of said third and fourth rigid support elements comprising a third and a fourth rigid brace member in spaced apart relationship and said third and said fourth rigid support elements defining a plane, said third and said fourth rigid support elements defining a seating scat support;  
 at least one rigid transverse member connected to said first rigid brace member of each of said first and said second rigid support elements for maintaining said first and said second rigid support elements in said spaced apart relationship;  
 a first plurality of flexible webbing members in spaced apart relationship extending between said first and said second rigid support elements, each of said first plurality of webbing members comprising a first and a second flexible webbing portion, each of said first webbing portion of each of said plurality of webbing members having a first end section adjustable connected to said first brace member of said first support element and second end section adjustably connected to said first brace member of said second support element, and said second webbing portions of each of said first plurality of webbing members having a first end section adjustably connected to said second brace member of said first support element and a second end section adjustably connected to said second brace member of said second support element;  
 at least one flexible back joining means coupled to at least some of said first plurality of webbing members intermediate said first and said second rigid support elements for coupling together at least some of said first and said second webbing sections of said first plurality of said webbing means;  
 adjustment means in at least some of said first and said second end sections of said first and said second webbing portions of said first plurality of webbing members for varying the length thereof between adjustment means.  
 
     
     
       2. The arrangement defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 said plane defined by said first and said second brace members of each of said first and said second support elements are substantially parallel.  
 
     
     
       3. The arrangement defined in  claim 2  wherein:
 said first and said second brace members are substantially parallel in at least one of said first and said second support elements.  
 
     
     
       4. The arrangement defined in  claim 3  wherein:
 said first and said second brace members are substantially parallel in each of said first and said second support elements.  
 
     
     
       5. The arrangement defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 said adjustment means is selected from the class consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckle fasteners and double “D” ring fasteners.  
 
     
     
       6. The arrangement defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 each of said first end section and said second end section of each of said fist and said second webbing portions of said plurality of flexible webbing members is provided with said adjustment means.  
 
     
     
       7. The arrangement defined in  claim 6  wherein said flexible back joining means further comprises:
 a pair of spaced apart flexible back joining members.  
 
     
     
       8. The arrangement defined in  claim 7  wherein:
 said pair of spaced apart back flexible joining members are substantially parallel.  
 
     
     
       9. The arrangement defined in  claim 8  wherein:
 each of said first plurality of flexible webbing members and each of said flexible back joining members are fabric.  
 
     
     
       10. The arrangement defined in  claim 9  wherein:
 each of sad flexible back joining means is coupled to said first plurality of flexible webbing members by sewing.  
 
     
     
       11. The arrangement defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 each of said first and said second rigid support elements having an upper part and a lower part;  
 said spaced apart relationship of said first plurality of flexible webbing members is a first predetermined spaced relationship from regions adjacent said upper part to regions adjacent said lower part of each of said first and said second rigid support elements.  
 
     
     
       12. The arrangement defined in  claim 11  wherein:
 said third and said fourth rigid support elements of said seat portion are coupled to said first and said second rigid support elements, respectively, in regions adjacent the lower parts thereof.  
 
     
     
       13. The arrangement defined in  claim 12  wherein:
 said third and said fourth rigid support members extend outwardly from said first and said second rigid support members.  
 
     
     
       14. The arrangement defined in  claim 13  and further comprising:
 second plurality of flexible webbing members in spaced apart relationship extending between said third and said fourth rigid support elements each of said second plurality of webbing members comprising a first and second flexible webbing portion, each of said first webbing portions of said second plurality of webbing members having a first end section adjustably connected to said third brace member of said third support element and a second end section adjustably connected to said third brace member of said fourth rigid support element, and said second portion of each of said second plurality of webbing members having a first end section adjustably connected to said fourth brace member of said third support element and a second end section adjustable connected to said fourth brace member of said fourth rigid support element.  
 
     
     
       15. The arrangement defined in  claim 14  and further comprising:
 at least one flexible seat joining means coupled to at least some of said second plurality of webbing members intermediate said third and said fourth rigid support elements four coupling together at least some of said first and said second webbing portions of at least some of said second plurality of webbing members.  
 
     
     
       16. The arrangement defined in  claim 15  and further comprising:
 adjustment means in at least some of said first and said second end sections of said first and second webbing portions of said second plurality of webbing members for varying the length thereof between said adjustment means.  
 
     
     
       17. The arrangement defined in  claim 16  wherein:
 said plane defined by each of said third and fourth brace members of each of said third and said fourth rigid support elements are substantially parallel; and  
 said first and said second brace members are substantially parallel in each of said first and said second support elements.  
 
     
     
       18. The arrangement defined in  claim 17  wherein:
 said third and said fourth rigid support elements extend substantially at right angles to said first and said second rigid support elements, respectively.  
 
     
     
       19. The arrangement defined in  claim 18  wherein:
 each of said first plurality of webbing members is substantially similar to each other;  
 each of said second plurality of webbing members is substantially similar to each other;  
 each of said first rigid support element is substantially similar to said second rigid support element; and  
 said third rigid support element is substantially similar to said fourth rigid support element.  
 
     
     
       20. The arrangement defined in  claim 19  wherein:
 each of said first plurality of webbing members is substantially similar to each of said second plurality of webbing members; and  
 each of first and said second rigid support elements are substantially similar to each of said third and said fourth rigid support elements.  
 
     
     
       21. The arrangement defined in  claim 20  wherein:
 said adjustment means is selected from the class consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckle fasteners and double “D” ring fasteners.  
 
     
     
       22. The arrangement defined in  claim 21  wherein:
 each of said first end section and said second end section of each of said first and said second webbing portions of said plurality of flexible webbing members is provided with said adjustment means; and  
 each of said first end section and said second end section of each of said first and said second webbing portions of said second plurality of flexible webbing members is provided with said adjustment means.  
 
     
     
       23. The arrangement defined in  claim 22  wherein:
 said flexible seat joining means further comprises: 
 a pair of spaced apart flexible seat joining members; and further comprising: 
 a pair of spaced apart flexible back joining members.  
 
 
 
     
     
       24. The arrangement defined in  claim 23  wherein:
 said pair of spaced apart flexible seat joining members are substantially parallel; and  
 said pair of spaced apart back flexible joining members are substantially parallel.  
 
     
     
       25. The arrangement defined in  claim 24  wherein:
 each of said pair of flexible seat joining members and each of said second plurality of flexible webbing members are fabric; and  
 each of said first plurality of flexible webbing members and each of said flexible back joining members are fabric.  
 
     
     
       26. The arrangement defined in  claim 18  wherein:
 each of said third and said fourth rigid support elements has an inner end and an outer end spaced from said inner end;  
 said inner ends of said third and said fourth rigid support elements are coupled to said first and said second rigid support elements, respectively.  
 
     
     
       27. The arrangement defined in  claim 26  wherein:
 said second plurality of flexible webbing members is in a second preselected spaced array between said inner end and said outer end of said third and said fourth rigid support elements.  
 
     
     
       28. The arrangement defined in  claim 27  wherein:
 said seat joining means are coupled to said back joining means in regions intermediate said inner ends at said third and said fourth rigid support elements.  
 
     
     
       29. The arrangement defined in  claim 28  wherein:
 said at least one of said transverse member is coupled to said first and said second rigid support elements in regions adjacent said inner ends of said third and said fourth rigid support elements.  
 
     
     
       30. The arrangement defined in  claim 29  wherein:
 at least some of said adjustment means are double “d” rings.  
 
     
     
       31. An adjustable seating arrangement for use in a wheelchair or stroller comprising:
   a frame member having a back portion and a seat portion;        a plurality of rigid support elements, the plurality of rigid support elements including a first and a second rigid support element in spaced apart, substantially parallel relationship defining a seating side support of the back portion, a third and a fourth rigid support element in spaced apart relationship defining a seating side support of the seat portion;        a first rigid transverse member connected to said first and said second rigid support elements to maintain said first and said second rigid support elements in said spaced apart relationship, and a second rigid transverse member connected to said third and said fourth rigid support elements to maintain said third and said fourth rigid support elements in said spaced apart relationship;        a first flexible webbing member extending between said first and said second rigid support elements and adjustably connected to said first support element and said second support element, the first flexible webbing member having a plurality of webbing portions including a first webbing portion and a second webbing portion;        at least one flexible back joining portion coupled to at least some of said plurality of webbing portions intermediate said first and said second rigid support elements for coupling together said at least some of said plurality of webbing portions; and        at least one adjustment mechanism for providing an adjustable connection of said plurality of webbing portions to said first and second rigid support elements, and for varying the length of said first flexible webbing member between said first and second rigid support elements,        wherein said first and second rigid support elements each include a first and second rigid brace member in spaced apart relationship with each other, said first and second rigid brace members of each of said first and said second rigid support element defining a plane.     
     
     
       32. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said planes defined by said first and said second brace members of each of said first and said second rigid support elements are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       33. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said first and said second brace members are substantially parallel in at least one of said first and said second rigid support elements. 
     
     
       34. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said first and said second brace members are substantially parallel in each of said first and said second rigid support elements. 
     
     
       35. The adjustment seating arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said first webbing portion includes a first end section adjustable connected to said first brace member of said first support element and a second end section adjustable connected to said first brace member of said second rigid support element, and said second webbing portion includes a first end section adjustably connected to said second brace member of said first rigid support element and a second end section adjustably connected to said second brace member of said second rigid support element. 
     
     
       36. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 35 , wherein said first end section and said second end section of each of said first and said second webbing portions includes an adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
       37. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 35 , wherein said third and fourth rigid support elements each include a third and fourth rigid brace member in spaced apart relationship with each other and further comprising a second flexible webbing member in spaced apart relationship extending between said third and said fourth rigid support elements, said second flexible webbing member having a plurality of webbing portions including a first and a second webbing portion, said first webbing portion of said second flexible webbing member having a first end section adjustable connected to said third brace member of said third rigid support element and a second end section adjustable connected to said third brace member of said fourth rigid support element, and said second webbing portion of said second flexible webbing member having a first end section adjustable connected to said fourth brace member of said third rigid support element and a second end section adjustable connected to said fourth brace member of said fourth rigid support element. 
     
     
       38. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 37 , further comprising at least one flexible seat joining portion coupling together at least some of said plurality of webbing portions between said third and fourth rigid support elements. 
     
     
       39. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 38 , further comprising at least one adjustment mechanism in at least some of said first and said second end sections of said first and second webbing portions of said second plurality of webbing members for varying the length thereof between said third and fourth rigid support elements. 
     
     
       40. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 39 , wherein said third and said fourth support elements extend substantially at right angles to said first and said second rigid support elements, respectively. 
     
     
       41. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 40 , wherein each of said third and fourth rigid support elements has an inner end and an outer end spaced from said inner end, said inner ends of said third and fourth rigid support elements being coupled to said first and said second rigid support elements, respectively. 
     
     
       42. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 38 , wherein said first end section and said second end section of each of said first and said second webbing portions of said first flexible webbing member include an adjustment mechanism, and wherein said first end section and said second end section of each of said first and said second webbing portions of said second flexible webbing member include an adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
       43. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 42 , wherein said flexible seat joining portion further comprises a pair of spaced apart flexible seat joining members. 
     
     
       44. The adjustable seating arrangement of  claim 43 , wherein said pair of spaced apart flexible seat joining members are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       45. An adjustable seating arrangement for use in a wheelchair or stroller, comprising:
   a frame member having a back portion and a seat portion;        a plurality of rigid support elements, the plurality of rigid support elements including a first and a second rigid support element in spaced apart, substantially parallel relationship defining a seating side support of the back portion, and a third and a fourth rigid support element in spaced apart relationship defining a seating side support of the seat portion;        a first rigid transverse member connected to said first and said second rigid support elements in said spaced apart relationship, and a second rigid transverse member connected to said third and said fourth rigid support elements to maintain said third and said fourth rigid support elements in said spaced apart relationship;        a first flexible webbing member extending between said first and said second rigid support elements and adjustably connected to said first support element and said second support element, the first flexible webbing member having a plurality of webbing portions including a first webbing portion and a second webbing portion;        at least one flexible back joining portion coupled to at least some of said plurality of webbing portions intermediate said first and said second rigid support elements for coupling together said at least some of said plurality of webbing portions;        at least one adjustment mechanism for providing an adjustable connection of said plurality of webbing portions to said first and second rigid support elements, and for varying the length of said first flexible webbing member between said first and second rigid support elements; and        wherein said third and fourth rigid support elements each include a third and fourth rigid brace member in spaced apart relationship with each other, said third and fourth rigid brace members of each of said third and said fourth rigid support elements defining a plane.