US Patent No: 6,035,901

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Woven fabric membrane for a seating surface

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

A membrane for a seating structure including a plurality of groups of at least two adjacent and parallel strands of multifilament yarn and a plurality of monofilaments arranged in generally perpendicular interlocking relationship with the strands. The monofilaments weave alternatively above and below the adjacent strands in each group. A plurality of pairs of the monofilaments hold the groups of strands in place by having the monofilaments in each pair cross over between each group of strands. In one aspect, the membrane is attached to a frame member such that the plurality of groups of strands are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the frame member and the monofilaments are oriented in the lateral warp direction of the frame member. In another aspect, the seating structure includes the frame member and attached membrane.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
HERMAN MILLER, INC.ZEELAND, MI441

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Bruner, Jeffrey W Greensboro, NC 34 995
Cammenga, Eric Holland, MI 15 673
Chadwick, Donald Los Angeles, CA 24 958
Coffield, Timothy P Grand Rapids, MI 58 1012
Keller, Carolyn Holland, MI 15 838
Sayers, Randy J Belding, MI 20 642
Schoenfelder, Rodney C Minneapolis, MN 21 947
Stumpf, William E Minneapolis, MN 48 1630

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
LEAR CORPORATION (6)
4,796,955 Elastic membrane seat with fluidic bladder tensioning apparatus and method 27 1987
4,842,257 Vehicle seat suspension component and its method of manufacture 40 1987
4,869,554 Elastomeric woven mat seat suspension 42 1988
5,009,827 Process for forming an elastomeric membrane 28 1988
4,939,183 Elastomeric membrane and its method of manufacture 29 1990
5,013,089 Thin profile integrated suspension and seat trim cover 102 1990
 
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (3)
5,009,955 Dual modulus oriented elastomeric filaments 15 1989
5,106,678 Elastomeric filament and its woven fabric 16 1990
5,153,065 Dual modulus oriented elastomeric filaments 13 1990
 
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (3)
4,545,614 Thin elastomeric seat 58 1984
4,826,249 Thin inflatable elastomeric seat 42 1988
4,885,827 Elastic membrane seat with fluidic bladder tensioning method 16 1988
 
HOOVER UNIVERSAL, INC. (3)
4,852,228 Method of Manufacturing a vehicle seat with mold-in-face suspension system 21 1987
4,860,415 Method of making a vehicle seat assembly with pour-in-place foam body 44 1988
5,000,515 Variable density foam vehicle seat 35 1989
 
ASTENJOHNSON, INC. (2)
4,815,499 Composite forming fabric 96 1988
5,117,865 Papermakers fabric with flat high aspect ratio yarns 31 1991
 
E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY (2)
4,469,738 Oriented net furniture support material 66 1983
4,469,739 Oriented woven furniture support material 55 1983
 
GESSNER HOLDING AG (2)
5,070,915 Textile substrate for seat coverings 17 1989
5,167,264 Ramie containing textile substrate for seat covers 18 1990
 
MILLIKEN RESEARCH CORPORATION (2)
5,533,789 Seating structure 26 1994
5,596,888 Knitted furniture support fabric 23 1995
 
ALLIED SIGNAL (1)
4,819,458 Heat shrunk fabrics provided from ultra-high tenacity and modulus fibers and methods for producing same 24 1982
 
ATOMA INTERNATIONAL OF AMERICA, INC. (1)
5,176,860 Method of the manufacture of an upholstery element 43 1991
 
BALLIN, BETTY (1)
4,189,880 Combination mounting frame and film for a window 85 1978
 
BEMIS MANUFACTURING COMPANY (1)
5,662,383 Apparatus for attaching fabric to a chair frame 50 1996
 
ETA SA FABRIQUES D'EBAUCHES (1)
4,846,230 Woven ribbon with weft threads joined in parallel by warp threads 18 1987
 
ETABLISSEMENTS M. DURET ET FILS A CORPORATION OF FRANCE (1)
5,116,556 Process for molding a frame onto a seat outfit for the purpose of producing a seal element 32 1990
 
FORMOSA SAINT JOSE CORP. (1)
5,503,455 Back cushion with optionally adjustable inclination 41 1994
 
HERMAN MILLER, INC. (1)
5,288,136 Chair membrane fastener 22 1992
 
HOECHST AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT (1)
5,651,847 Double-face circular knit 35 1994
 
KI-ADD SPECIALIZED SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY, INC. (1)
4,946,224 Combination wood-metal chair 27 1988
 
LAINIERE DE PICARDIE (1)
5,153,049 Textile base material, in woven or weft knitted fabric, for thermobinding interlining 24 1991
 
M-I L.L.C. (1)
4,968,366 Method of manufacture of tension screens 31 1988
 
MICHAEL LADNEY (1)
4,942,006 Method of and apparatus for injection molding with pressurized-fluid assist 55 1988
 
MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY (1)
4,670,072 Method of making a stretched surface recording disk 28 1986
 
MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC. (1)
5,096,652 Method of manufacturing a multilayered molding 39 1990
 
NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. (1)
4,829,644 Method of molding skin-covered foamed plastic article 35 1988
 
PRINCE CORPORATION (1)
5,015,034 Upholstery system 52 1990
 
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION (1)
5,135,694 Electronic device wristband 29 1990
 
SHIMIZU SEIKO KABUSHIKI GAISHA (1)
5,178,815 Method of forming composite moldings 28 1991
 
SONY CORPORATION (1)
4,830,697 Method and apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic recording disk 13 1988
 
SPRINGS CREATIVE PRODUCTS GROUP, INC. (1)
4,927,698 Pucker and shrink resistant flame retardant fabric formed of corespun yarns 47 1989
 
SWECO, INC. (1)
4,568,455 Screening device 30 1983
 
TACHI-S CO., LTD. (1)
4,831,697 Method of making integrally foam-molded seats 24 1988
 
TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD. (1)
4,986,948 Molding process for fiber reinforced plastics 28 1989
 
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (1)
4,364,887 Method of molding multi-ply reinforced panels and/or belts 20 1981
 
TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. (1)
5,100,713 Reinforcing woven fabric and preformed material, fiber reinforced composite material and beam using it 52 1990
 
TOYO TIRE & RUBBER CO., LTD. (1)
4,803,118 Composite cushion 15 1988
 
WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP. (1)
4,465,534 Apparatus and method for upholstering a rigid chair shell 29 1983
 
WINSTON FURNITURE COMPANY, INC. (1)
5,318,348 Cushioned sling chair 56 1991
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (8)
4,302,048 Occasional chair 27 1979
4,299,645 Method for assembling fabric to an article of furniture 25 1980
4,339,488 Support web 28 1980
4,522,444 Stacking chair 77 1982
4,629,525 Method and apparatus for preparing a high strength sheet material 43 1983
4,601,516 Contoured chair 28 1984
4,743,323 Method of molding a composite article 39 1986
5,256,291 Screen for filtering undesirable particles from a liquid 24 1992

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
BROWN JORDAN SERVICES, INC. (14)
6,625,970 Method of making twisted elongated yarn 3 2002
6,705,070 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 11 2002
6,725,640 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 6 2002
6,935,383 Combination weave using twisted and nontwisted yarn 4 2002
6,911,105 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 5 2002
7,076,939 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 7 2002
6,848,248 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 8 2003
7,089,725 Method of making furniture with synthetic woven material 7 2004
7,892,989 Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns 0 2004
7,476,630 Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns 6 2005
7,175,235 Furniture with synthetic woven material 9 2005
7,700,022 Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns 1 2005
7,823,979 Woven articles from synthetic yarn 2 2009
8,052,907 Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns 0 2010
 
FORMWAY FURNITURE LIMITED (14)
D448219 Castored base for a chair 2 2000
D448277 Castor 1 2000
D446397 Chair 19 2000
D445580 Chair 44 2000
D463144 Chair 17 2001
6,908,159 Seat for a reclining office chair 34 2001
6,874,852 Lumbar support 9 2001
6,817,667 Reclinable chair 18 2001
6,802,566 Arm assembly for a chair 19 2001
6,637,072 Castored base for an office chair 4 2001
6,910,741 Lumbar support 18 2003
6,840,582 Height adjustable arm assembly 15 2003
7,441,839 Reclinable chair 0 2006
7,798,573 Reclinable chair 0 2008
 
STEELCASE INC. (12)
6,849,227 Method of manufacturing furniture article 5 2002
6,786,548 Chair construction 1 2002
6,817,668 Seating unit with variable back stop and seat bias 8 2003
7,040,711 Nonslip bearing arrangement 6 2003
7,458,637 Back construction with flexible lumbar 5 2004
7,114,777 Chair having reclineable back and movable seat 17 2004
7,237,841 Back construction with flexible lumbar 7 2005
7,131,700 Back construction for seating unit 16 2005
7,040,709 Back construction for seating unit having inverted U-shaped frame 4 2005
6,991,291 Back construction for seating unit having spring bias 33 2005
7,427,105 Back construction for seating unit 1 2006
7,857,388 Seating unit with adjustable lumbar device 1 2007
 
HERMAN MILLER, INC. (11)
6,588,842 Backrest 57 2001
6,726,285 Cellular chair construction 45 2001
6,702,390 Support assembly for a seating structure 39 2002
6,733,080 Seating structure having a backrest with a flexible membrane and a moveable armrest 42 2002
6,722,741 Seating structure having a backrest with a bowed section 52 2002
6,726,286 Seating structure having a fabric with a weave pattern 29 2002
6,966,604 Chair with a linkage assembly 19 2004
7,455,365 Seating structure having flexible support surface 13 2004
7,059,682 Seating structure having flexible seating surface 18 2004
7,594,700 Contoured seating structure 2 2005
7,794,022 Body support structure having a molded elastomeric member 3 2008
 
MITY-LITE, INC. (9)
8,038,221 Folding mesh chair with nesting hoops 3 2009
8,033,598 Mesh folding chair 1 2009
8,033,612 Comfortable mesh folding chair 3 2009
8,029,059 Folding and stacking mesh chair system 1 2009
D599127 Mesh folding chair 12 2009
8,322,787 Clamping joint for a chair 0 2009
8,317,269 Mesh stacking chair 0 2009
D648554 Mesh stacking chair 4 2009
D660612 Mesh banquet chair 1 2010
 
THE QUANTUM GROUP, INC. (8)
D473383 Fabric construction 28 2001
D537256 Fabric construction 15 2005
D534357 Fabric construction 15 2005
D533723 Fabric construction 15 2005
D531817 Fabric construction 17 2005
D546562 Fabric construction 11 2006
D546563 Fabric construction 11 2006
D541051 Fabric construction 11 2006
 
HNI CORPORATION (6)
7,837,265 Reclining chair with enhanced adjustability 1 2006
D568074 Chair arm 4 2006
D558994 Chair 25 2006
D550467 Chair 15 2006
D548992 Chair 25 2006
D547978 Chair back upright 3 2006
 
HNI TECHNOLOGIES INC. (5)
7,014,269 Chair back construction 36 2001
6,729,691 Chair back construction 58 2002
7,066,537 Chair back construction 21 2004
D543388 Chair arm 4 2006
8,297,701 Reclining chair with enhanced adjustability 0 2010
 
HUMANSCALE CORPORATION (5)
8,240,771 Mesh chair component 1 2005
8,061,775 Seating apparatus with reclining movement 2 2006
D661135 Pair of armrests for a chair or the like 0 2011
D660056 Chair 2 2011
D673401 Chair support structure 0 2012
 
COOL FRONT, INC. (2)
7,278,642 Snow sled 1 2004
7,559,558 Snow sled 1 2007
 
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. (2)
6,444,152 Method for capturing stretched fabrics in carrier frames 3 1999
8,329,281 Load bearing fabric assembly and method of making a load bearing fabric assembly 0 2005
 
LEAR CORPORATION (2)
6,478,381 Elastomeric seat back and slide-over head rest assembly for a vehicle seat 12 2000
6,814,412 Elastomeric seat back and slide-over head rest assembly for a vehicle seat 2 2002
 
STEELCASE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (2)
6,536,841 Synchrotilt chair 38 2000
6,669,301 Furniture article having panel and integral perimeter frame 52 2000
 
COMFORDY CO., LTD. (1)
7,152,929 Structure of a double-mesh seat of a chair 14 2005
 
FITNESS QUEST INC. (1)
7,458,918 Back support for an exercise device 8 2004
 
HADASH, KIMBERLY (1)
D460300 Slotted seat panel for a chair 35 2000
 
HAWORTH, INC. (1)
6,983,997 Chair having a suspension seat assembly 27 2003
 
KENDALL, MICHAEL (1)
6,601,321 Devices for suspending a foot within a shoe, and shoes incorporating such devices 17 2000
 
KNOLL, INC. (1)
7,887,131 Lumbar support 0 2010
 
MIDMARK CORPORATION (1)
7,376,991 Medical examination table 4 2004
 
SAFCO PATRICIAN COMPANY (1)
6,767,066 Articulated chair for health care 9 2003
 
SAGE AUTOMOTIVE INTERIORS, INC. (1)
6,435,221 Low abrasion elastomeric fabric 7 2002
 
STYLEX, INC. (1)
6,439,665 Ergonomic chair with mesh seat and back 37 2000
 
TELESCOPE CASUAL FURNITURE, INC. (1)
6,523,904 Outdoor furniture construction 5 1999
 
TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA (1)
8,297,708 Assembling structure of planar elastic body of vehicle seat 0 2010
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (3)
D432344 Compact disk case 32 1999
7,059,674 Bicycle saddle 8 2002
7,555,847 Device for suspending a foot within a shoe and shoes incorporating such devices 0 2006