(19)

(11)

EP 0 874 568 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/45 (21) Application number: 96942051.0 (22) Date of filing: 15.11.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A47B 9/ 04( . ) A47B 13/ 02( . ) A47B 17/ 03( . ) A47B 21/ 06( . ) A47B 91/ 12( . ) A47B 13/ 00( . ) A47B 17/ 00( . ) A47B 21/ 00( . ) A47B 83/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/018827 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/019617 (05.06.1997 Gazette 1997/24)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 16.11.1995 US 19950006833P (71) Applicant: HERMAN MILLER, INC. Zeeland, Michigan 49464-0302 (US)

(72) Inventors: KELLEY, James, O. Spring Lake, MI 49456 (US) CHADWICK, Donald, T. Los Angeles, CA 90049 (US) KURRASCH, Andrew Saugatuck, MI 49453 (US) OREN, Robert, A. Jenison, MI 49428 (US) CLARK, Jeffrey, L. Holland, MI 49423 (US) PEARSONS, Errol Grand Haven, MI 49417 (US) BECK, Robert Zeeland, MI 49464 (US) McCLUNG, Duane, Gene Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (US) GARTLAND, Paul, Stephen Holland, MI 49424 (US) (74) Representative: McLeish, Nicholas Alistair Maxwell  Boult Wade Tennant 27 Furnival Street London EC4A 1PQ London EC4A 1PQ (GB)