AU603997B2

AU603997B2 - Chair

Info

Publication number: AU603997B2
Application number: AU63519/86A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William A. Jaremko; Charles A. Pollock
Original assignee: Olivetti Synthesis SpA
Current assignee: Olivetti Synthesis SpA
Priority date: 1985-10-01
Filing date: 1986-09-30
Publication date: 1990-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-30
Also published as: ES2022121B3; EP0218464A3; EP0218464A2; ATE63440T1; AU6351986A; DE3679270D1; EP0218464B1; JPS62167511A

Abstract

The frame for a chair is composed of a thin tubular back member 18 whose ends slot into the first ends 20a, 22b of thicker tubular arm members 20, 22, whose second ends 20c, 22d in turn slot into ends 24c, 26d of still thicker tubular seat support members 24, 26. After assembly, the second ends 24e, 26e of the seat support members 24, 26 are attached to a pedestal and a seat and back are attached to the frame. The tubular members of the frame are fitted together, laid out flat, a plastics cladding is then moulded on to the flat frame which is subsequently bent into its final configuration. The cladding holds the tubular members together. In a modified embodiment the tubular members are individually clad and are held together by fastening devices such as bayonet devices. The differing tube diameters provide ergonomic yielding of the frame.

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF' AUST3 9 9 7 PATENTS ACT 1952 Form COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: 63)e 1 196 Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: &Goo 0 0 6 6 *0 0 06 6* S *666 66 S0 6@S6

S@

6 6 *66@ *6 6

S

This document contains the amendments made under Section 49 and is correct for printing.

Related A.t- TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: OLIVETTI SYNTHESIS, S.p.A.

10015 Ivrea, Turin, ITALY Charles A. Pollock and William A.

Jaremko GRIFFITH HASSEL FRAZER 71 YORK STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000

AUSTRALIA

Complete Specification for the invention entitled:

CHAIR

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 8009A:rk aACXGROt3ND OF THE :NVENTION Theare exists today a need for a comfortable multipls purpose chair which if; inexpenszive, ruggad and decorative.

Attempts have been made to provide such a chair but :invariably the purtuit of comfort and/or dacorative effact has resulted in a chair which is costly to manufacture. The subject invention overcomes these difficu2.ties by providing azri trgonomica. chair which can be utilized in a variety of environments and one that it desIjcted for rel~atively inexpensive and easy ranuftcturA of parts and assemtbly.

OBJECTIVES AND SUM-MARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a chair comPrising a frame having a seat portion and a back portion, first and second tubular means defining said seat portion and said oack portion and each having an outer cylindrical surface and an inner cylindrical surface and coupling means interconnec:ing said first and said second tubular means characterised in that the first tubular means defines the seat portion of the frame, has a rigidity greater tnat the rigidity of the second means and comprises two receiving ends in the said inner surface, close to the sides of a seat member of the chair; the second tubular means defines the said back portion and comprises engaging portions of the outer surface engaged in the inner surface of the first means, and wherein the said engaging portions comprise two engaging end s of the outer surfaces which are engaged within the said two receiving ends; 1Athe said coupling means comprise the 'receiving ends in the first tubular means and the engaging ends of the second tubular means and provide a sI idable and rotatable coupling between the first tubular means and the second tubular means; and an elastomeric coating covers the outer surface of the first means and the outer surface of the second means except for the engaging ends and includes sections rotated relative to each other between the first tubular means and the second tubular means adjacent to said receiving ends, and provides a substantial uniform outside surface on the said seat portion and back portion.

I

S.

S S *5S* S S BRIzr DESC:PTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. I. is a front perspeCtiVO Viet'; Of A full asma chair constructed in accordance with the teachings oe this inventiont Fig. 2 is a front elevation~ of the chair shown in Fig.

Fig. 3 iA a side view of the chair shownL in Fig. I with the ergonomica. movements o! the chair ill~astrated by broken linest Fig. 4 in an exploded perspective view of the chair of Fig. I illustrating the parts thereof; rig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the steel frame of the chair with the slastoneric clothing abuentl Fig. 6 is a plan view of the. steel frame in assembl.ed condition in position %or molding of the elastomneric clothing thereoni Fig. 7 in a. segrentiry sectional view of a section -2-

S.

S

S..

50 S S S S ~IUK1U~ ~Nr O~ t 4 Of frame with clothingi Piq, 8 is a plan view of the frame with clothing prior to rotation of the various members for attachment to the pedestal: Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the frame an shown in Fig. 8 but with members rotated into position for attachment to the pedestall Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. I but of an alternate embodiment of the invention; Fig. 11 in a view similar to that of Fig. 2 but of the chair shown in Fig. Fig. 12 is a view somewhat similar to that of Fig. 3 but of the chair shown in Fig. 101 Fig. 13 is a rear view of the chair shown in Fig. 101 and Fig. 14 is a perspective exploded view of a segment of eeoc the chair of Fig. 10 illustrating the manner of joint assembly of that embodiment.

oo..

DESCRIPTION Of THE PREFER)ED ZMBODZMENTS The chair of the invention is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in fully assembled condition. The main portions of the chair as seen in these Fie. are frame 10, back 12, seat 14 and pedestal 16.

9 2

__J

_1 I L i-l DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The chair of the invention is shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3 in fully assembled condition. The main portions of the chair as seen in these Figs are frame 10, back 12, seat 14 and pedestal 16.

The chair is shown in exploded view in Fig 4 'whidh' illustrates generally the manner in which these parts go together.

The frame 10 is the primary portion of the chair and is shown particularly in Figs 5 through 9 in various stages of fabrication and assembly, Back support member 18, right arm support member 20, left arm support member 22, left seat support i member 24 and right seat support member 26 are steel members j which when assembled provide the mechanical or structural support I for frame 10 with the elastomeric coating which is indicated by I the numeral 28 providing clothing or covering thereof.

The back support member 18 comprises a single steel rod which can be hollow tubing or solid with each of the ends formed into the shape of a Back support legs 18a and 18b are respective legs of the ends so formed.

The arm support members 20 and 22 are each a single i hollow steel rod or steel tubing with a respective end of each formed into the shape of a with respective legs 20a and 22b constructed and arranged to respectively receive back support i legs 18a and 18b in the tubing in the assembled condition of the chair.

The remaining ends of arm support members 20 and 22 are formed generally into the shape of a with legs 20c and I 22d respectively thereto lieing geinerally in the same plane, which plan is generally perpendicular to the axes of legs 20a and 22b,The term "generally" is used herein to indicate that these conditions are not critical and need not be precise to the chair I design, assembly and/or usage.

I 3

I

1 The seat support members 24 and 26 are also formed of Shollow steel rods or tubing with a respective end of each formed into the shape of a with respective legs 24c and 26d constructed and arranged to respectively receive seat support legs and 22d in the tubing in the assembled condition of the chair.

The remaining portion of each seat support member slopes Sarcuately downwardly, and is-terminated in. an end designed to be attached to a suitable base or pedestal such as is indicated by I the numeral 16 in the Figs. In the Figs such ends are designated jj by the numerals 24e and 26e respectively.

i The steel members are formed and bent-as shown primaril Sin Fig 5. The diameter of the seat support members is greater than the diameter of the arm support members which is greater ,than the diameter of the back support members so that the various isections can be received in one another. The diameter of the i i* seat support member is largest since it supports the greatest loac in use.

i Different diameters of different sections allow the j frame to be assembled, after forming and bending of individual h frame members, by inserting one section into the next and also I provides for "zoning" of flexibility throughout the frame.

The frame is.assembled generally in one plane as shown 7 ii Fig. 6, without fasteners by sliding, one section into the next, and placed in a two part mold where urethane foam, or other I* suitable elastermeric material is molded onto the steel to provide Sa coating or clothing 28 as is illustrated in Fig 7.

The frame is then twisted into its three dimensional I configuration and mounted into the upright 30 of the base 16.

i The twisting and rotational movement of the frame is I achievable since the steel members can rotate with respect to Seach other. The urethane in addition to being a cover holds the steel members together. The urethane has a uniform outside diameter with differing .inside .diameters since'.it is molddd

I__

i around the steel members of differing outside diameter.

1I As stated above, after fabrication the frame 10 is I mounted on the base by attaching seat support member ends 24e and 26e to the base upright 30. The base which is not part of this invention can be any suitable base. As shown herein for example the base 16 has five legs, each of which is designated in the Figs by the numeral 32, upright j0 and swivel vertical 34 to jl which the ends 24e and 26e are suitably connected. In this exemplary design the member 34 is supported within upright 30 for rotational motion about a vertical axis. A tilt mechanism and/or means for raising or lowering the seat with respect to the floor can be incorporated.

In the present example a suitable cover 36 is provided Ii IIfor ornamental purposes. and to protect the mechanism from dust .1 and other foreign objects.

6* *e j Seat 14 and back 12 are flexible molded plastic shells which are attached to the frame with a snap-in or slide-in configuration for easy assembly, maintenance and replacement.

Upholstering can be added if desired. Pins, not shown, can be used for additional security to prevent any accidental or unintended shell removal.

The flexibility and shape of the seat and back shells., i integrated with the flexibility and configuration of the frame i provide a unique ergonomical comfort which eliminates the need for a tilt mechanism, however, of course, such can be included if desired.

In Fig 3 the solid lines indicate the static or unoccupied condition of the chair while the broken lines indicate the loaded or occupied condition. As shown therein, the application of load to the chair, as when one sits in it causes rotational movement of back and seat in the direction of the arrows and a decrease in angle 9 without the use of a tilt mechanism, to a degree determined by the magnitude of the load.

2 I Hence the degree of such rotational movement will be less for a person of lesser weight and greater for a person of greater weight thereby having, the relationship of chair sections altered to provide a position unique to each user and his or her distribution of weight. Additionally as one moves within the chair the chair sections will move to provide a comfortable and properly supportive chair to relative positions.

Thus among others the several objects of the invention are achieved. Various modifications of course might be made in the design while remaining within lhe scope of the claims herein'.

0 0S g ge S. 9 0S**

C.

g C

C.

CC

e g.

S. C C C -i-

I-

An alternate embodiment of the chair is shown in Figs.

through 14 wherein similar parts are identified by the numerals used in describing the embodiment of Yigs. 1 through 9 with "primes" following such numerals.

The essential differonqe in the second embodiment is in 00 the introds.Iction of the concept that the frame of the chair can be realized also with separate parts (every part made of a banded steel tube covered with a coat of polyurethane).

separate parts ari eoupled by fasteners as will be explained below, The main portions of the chair as seen in Pigs, through 14 are frame 101, back 12', seat 14' and pedestal oo 16', .The frame 10' is the primary portion of the chair as explained in connsciton with the earlier description. Back support member 18', right arm support member 20', left arm support member 22', left seat support member 26' and right seat support member 24' when assembled provide the mechanical or structural support for frame 10' with the elastomeric coating which is indicated by the numeral 28' providing clothing or covering thereof au seen best in Fig.

14,.

1 I Each of these parts comprises a mingle *teel rod which can be hollow tubing or solid and bended to shape and covered with a suitable coating such as polyu.:ethane before assembly.

The parts are coupled by means of any suitable fastening device, suoh as that shown in Fig. 14 by way of example and indicated therein by the numeral 40 for fastening two typical parts which are identified in the Fiq, by numerals 42 and 44.

Fastener 40 is provided with a spiral slot 46 tO Sreceive pin 48 of member 42 which is inserted therein in the Seee..

S

direction of the arrow and rotated in the direction of arrow to fasten the parts 42 and 44 together. Fig. 14 is illustrative oE the assembly of each of the pairs in the second embodiment of the invention aa shown in Figs. through 14.

The remainder of the assembly and operation and use of the chair of Figs. 10 through 14 are the aame as in Figs. 1 e e e through 9.

oee e0* e e e* e e e

Claims

1. A chair comprising a frame having a seat portion and a back portion, first and second tubular means defnling said seat portion and said back portion and each having an outer cylindrical surface and an Inner cylindrical surface and coupling means Interconnecting said first and said second tubular means characterised in that the first tubular means defines the seat portion of the frame, has a rigidity greater that the rigidity of the second means and comprises two receiving ends In the said Inner surface, close to the sides of a seat member of the chair; the second tubular means defines the said back portion and comprises engaging portions of the outer surface engaged in the inner surface of the first means, and wherein the said engaging portions comprise two engaging ends of the outer surfaces which are engaged within the said two receiving ends; the said coupling means comprise the receiving ends In the first tubular means and the engaging ends of the second tubular means S* and provide a slidable and rotatable coupling between the first tubular ~means and the second tubular means; and S. an elastomeric coating covers the outer surface of the first means and the outer surface of the second means except for the engaging ends and 'includes sections rotated relative to each other between the first tubular means and the second tubular means adjacent to said receiving ends, and provides a substantial uniform outside surface on the said seat portion and back portion. se. 2. A chair in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the frame further comprises a pedestal providing an upper end the first tubular means comprises two lower portions which slope arcuately downwardly with respect to the seat member and in that the first tubular means comprises two further receiving ends in the inner surfaces for engaging the upper end of the pedestal A chair in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second tubular means comprises two receiving ends in the inner cylindrical surface, opposite to said engaging Sends and the back portion of the frame further comprises a third tubular means having an outer cylindrical surface, an inner cylindrical surface and two engaging ends on the outer surface opposite each other, in which the engaging ends in the third tubular means are engaged in the receiving ends of the second tubular means through a further slidable and rotatable coupling and in which an elastomeric coating is further provided to cover also the outer surface of the third tubular means except the said engaging ends

4. A chair in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said first tubular means further -9- 1_ comprises two seat tubing members ending with two shaped portions close to the sides of the seat member of the chair and each including an intermediate arm and a terminal arm, and in which the two receiving ends are located at the respective terminal arms in the said shaped portions. A chair in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the second tubular means comprises two arm tubing members including two respective vertical shaped portions each having a lower portion, an upper portion and a diagonal portion between the lower portion and the upper portion, in which the lower portions are disposed at the sides of the said seat member and the said engaging ends are located at the ends of the said lower portions and engage the said terminal arms in the shaped portions, and in which the diagonal portions and the upper portions of the said shaped arms define an angle which is yeldably decreseable upon application of load to the chair.

6. A chair in accordance with claims 3 and 5, characterised in that the third tubular means comprises a back tubing member including a main horizontal portion and two vertical shaped portions located at -the sides of a back member of the chair and each having an upward a'rm following the main portion and a downward arm defining 0a one of said engaging ends in which the two arm tubing members end with two vertical shaped portions each include each one a downward arm which follows said upper portion and an upward arm which defines one of the receiving ends to receive a respective engaging end of the downward arm of the back tubing member and in which the said back member has two sides located between the shaped portions of the said back tubing member.

7. A chair in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slidable and rotatable coupling between the first tubular means and the second tubular means and optionally between the second tubular means and the third tubular means includes a pin and slot connection between an engaging end and a respective receiving end, and wherein .i the elastomeric coating covers the said pin and slot connection and comprises a discontinuity adjacent to the said receiving ends.

8. A method of producing a chair in accordance with any of the proceding claims characterised oy the steps of: shaping the first tubular means to form the seat portion of the frame and to include two receiving ends in the said inner surface; providing the engaging portions in the second tubular means to include two engaging ends in the outer surfaces to define a slidable and rotatable coupling with the two receiving ends in the first tubular means; connecting the receiving ends of the first tubular means with •i7'Z" the engaging ends of the second tubular means through sliding in the slideable and rotatable coupling; covering the outer surface of the first means and the outer surface of the second means except the engaging ends with an elastomeric coating, either before the engaging of the engaging ends by moulding of singular elastomeric coatings on the first tuoular means and the second tubular means or, in alternative, after insertion of the engaging ends in the receiving ends by moulding a continuous covering of the said first and second tubular means with an elastomeric coating, in order to obtain a substantial uniform outside surface in the said seat portion and back portion; twisting the slideable and rotatable coupling to define the desired frame configuration, either through reciprocal rotation between the elastomeric coatings of the first tubular means and the second tubular means in the case of individual coatings, or, in alternative, through twisting of the elastomeric coating in the case of continuous covering; and attaching and locking the said first tubular means to the base member of the chair.

9. A method according to claim 8, characterised in that the slideable and rotatable coupling comprises a spiral bayonet slot on the receiving end covered by the elastomeric coating and a pin 'on the engaging end close to the elastomeric coating.

10. A method according to claim 8, characterised in that, in the alternative case of continuous covering, the continuous covering is obtained by placing the first and the second tubular means in a generally flat posture whithin a mould, moulding the elastomeric coating about the tubular means and then removing the coated first and second tubular means from the mould.

11. A claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. *0 Dated this 10th day of July 1990. 9* 9 9 OLIVETI SYNTHESYS, S.p.A. By their Patent Attorney GRIFFITH HACK C3. A A 'AP.