An ergonomic chair has a back support member and means for arranging and supporting legs of the user in an asymmetric configuration, with a first leg extending in front of a body of the user and a second leg aligned with or extending behind the body of the user. An angle between the first and second legs in a side view can be at least 30 degrees. The means for arranging and supporting legs can comprise one or more fixed structures that support the first leg in a first orientation, or one or more dynamic structures that can be positioned by the user to support the first leg in a first orientation. In some embodiments, with the legs of the user in the asymmetric configuration, a centerline of the user is offset from a centerline of the back support member with respect to a lateral direction.

An ergonomic chair has a back support member and means for arranging and supporting legs of the user in an asymmetric configuration, with a first leg extending in front of a body of the user and a second leg aligned with or extending behind the body of the user. An angle between the first and second legs in a side view can be at least 30 degrees. The means for arranging and supporting legs can comprise one or more fixed structures that support the first leg in a first orientation, or one or more dynamic structures that can be positioned by the user to support the first leg in a first orientation. In some embodiments, with the legs of the user in the asymmetric configuration, a centerline of the user is offset from a centerline of the back support member with respect to a lateral direction.

A seating arrangement includes a back frame that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of side portions that cooperate to define an opening, wherein at least one of the top portion, the bottom portion and the side portions include a longitudinally extending channel, a back shell having a forwardly facing support surface located within the opening and configured to support a seated user, and an attachment portion that extends about at least a portion of a periphery the support surface, and a cover member extending over the support surface, wherein the cover member is directly attached to the attachment portion of the back shell at an attachment location, and wherein the attachment location and the attachment portion of the back shell are located within the channel and concealed from view.

A seating arrangement includes a back frame that includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a pair of side portions that cooperate to define an opening, wherein at least one of the top portion, the bottom portion and the side portions include a longitudinally extending channel, a back shell having a forwardly facing support surface located within the opening and configured to support a seated user, and an attachment portion that extends about at least a portion of a periphery the support surface, and a cover member extending over the support surface, wherein the cover member is directly attached to the attachment portion of the back shell at an attachment location, and wherein the attachment location and the attachment portion of the back shell are located within the channel and concealed from view.

A chair having an articulating backrest that deforms when reclined to support an occupant's head or shoulders. A backrest assembly includes a mesh insert secured to a frame, which includes an upper frame section and a lower frame section interconnected by a pair of articulated joints. A push arm pivotally connects to the chair's seat assembly and to the backrest's upper frame section. As the chair reclines, the push arm restricts the angular movement of the upper frame section relative to a floor. The lower frame section moves forward relative to the upper frame section. Consequently, an angle formed between the lower frame section and the upper frame section decreases during recline, thereby supporting the chair occupant's head or shoulders. Optionally, a tensioning member may connect the mesh insert to the push arm to offset any loss of tension caused by the deformation of the frame during reclined.

A chair having an articulating backrest that deforms when reclined to support an occupant's head or shoulders. A backrest assembly includes a mesh insert secured to a frame, which includes an upper frame section and a lower frame section interconnected by a pair of articulated joints. A push arm pivotally connects to the chair's seat assembly and to the backrest's upper frame section. As the chair reclines, the push arm restricts the angular movement of the upper frame section relative to a floor. The lower frame section moves forward relative to the upper frame section. Consequently, an angle formed between the lower frame section and the upper frame section decreases during recline, thereby supporting the chair occupant's head or shoulders. Optionally, a tensioning member may connect the mesh insert to the push arm to offset any loss of tension caused by the deformation of the frame during reclined.

A method of manufacturing a connecting rod is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) forming, on a long rod material, a rotation transmitting portion having a non-circular cross section; (2) cutting the rod material to provide the rotation transmitting portion at each of both ends; and (3) forming, by cutting work, a small-diameter column portion and a tapered portion at a first end of the cut rod material from a tip-end side. The small-diameter column portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rotation transmitting portion. The tapered portion is provided continuously from the small-diameter column portion and gradually increases in diameter. The rotation transmitting portion is provided continuously from the tapered portion.

A method of manufacturing a connecting rod is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) forming, on a long rod material, a rotation transmitting portion having a non-circular cross section; (2) cutting the rod material to provide the rotation transmitting portion at each of both ends; and (3) forming, by cutting work, a small-diameter column portion and a tapered portion at a first end of the cut rod material from a tip-end side. The small-diameter column portion has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rotation transmitting portion. The tapered portion is provided continuously from the small-diameter column portion and gradually increases in diameter. The rotation transmitting portion is provided continuously from the tapered portion.

A mechanism for an office chair is structurally particularly simple and consequently comparatively inexpensive, but nevertheless extremely variable. Both the seat support and the backrest support are articulated by way of a common pivot axis. The seat support is connected in an articulated manner to the base support by way of at least one pivot bolt and is pivotable relative to the base support. The backrest support is connected in an articulated manner to the base support by way of the at least one pivot bolt and is pivotable relative to the base support.

A split ottoman linkage having a plurality of interconnected links that move a middle ottoman and a front ottoman from a closed position to an extended position. The middle ottoman moves in a relatively constant radial arc, such that a chaise pad can be used on the chair. The middle ottoman and the front ottoman are positioned adjacent one another in the closed position, and are spaced from one another in the extended position.