Chair With Appendage Accommodations
Patent No. US11812871 (titled "Chair With Appendage Accommodations") was filed by Buzz Seating Inc on Mar 5, 2021.
What is this patent about?
’871 is related to the field of seating, specifically chairs designed to accommodate users wearing bulky equipment such as utility belts, duty belts, or weaponry. The background acknowledges that conventional chairs often fail to provide adequate space and support for individuals carrying such equipment, leading to discomfort, restricted movement, potential damage to the chair, and even safety risks.
The underlying idea behind ’871 is to create a chair that provides enhanced clearance and flexibility for users wearing bulky equipment. This is achieved through a combination of features: a tapered backrest , a tapered seat , and retractable armrests . The tapers provide more space around the back and sides of the seat, while the retractable armrests can be pivoted out of the way to further increase clearance.
The claims of ’871 focus on a chair comprising a backrest that tapers from top to bottom in three distinct sections, a seat that tapers from front to back, and retractable armrests. The armrests are attached to rails that allow for height adjustment and can pivot approximately 180 degrees. The base of the chair includes six legs, each with a caster.
In practice, the tapered backrest and seat create a wider space at the rear of the chair, accommodating the bulk of a utility or duty belt. The retractable armrests can be pivoted forward or backward, providing additional side clearance as needed. The height-adjustable armrests further enhance user comfort and adaptability. The combination of these features allows a user to sit comfortably and safely without having to remove their equipment.
This design differentiates itself from standard chairs by specifically addressing the needs of individuals who carry equipment on their person. Unlike conventional chairs with fixed armrests and uniform backrests, ’871 provides a dynamic and adaptable seating solution that prioritizes both comfort and functionality for users in fields such as law enforcement, security, and maintenance, where wearing bulky belts and equipment is common.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’871 was filed, chairs were typically implemented using standard designs with limited accommodation for users wearing utility belts or carrying tools. At a time when ergonomic features were becoming more common, systems commonly relied on fixed armrests and backrests rather than adjustable mechanisms to provide customized support. Hardware or software constraints made the integration of dynamic adjustment features non-trivial, especially in chairs intended for heavy-duty or specialized applications.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because an earlier claim was canceled during prosecution. The examiner performed an amendment to change the dependency of claim 12 to depend from claim 2.
Claims
This patent includes 16 claims, with claims 1, 9, and 15 being independent. The independent claims are directed to a chair with a tapered back, retractable arm rests, and a base with legs, focusing on the chair's structure and features like adjustability and clearance. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific aspects of the chair described in the independent claims, such as materials, mechanisms, and functionalities.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US11812871
- Application Number
- US17193197
- Filing Date
- Mar 5, 2021
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 30, 2038
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents