CN111743338A

CN111743338A - Rocking mechanism for chairs, in particular office chairs

Info

Publication number: CN111743338A
Application number: CN202010221614.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: H·博克
Original assignee: Dongguan Boke Furniture Products Co ltd; Boke 1 LLC
Current assignee: Dongguan Boke Furniture Products Co ltd; Boke 1 LLC; Bock 1 GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-03-26
Filing date: 2020-03-26
Publication date: 2020-10-09
Also published as: EP3714737A1; US20200305610A1; DE102019107745A1; EP3714737A8

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (5) for a rocking mechanism (4), to a rocking mechanism (4) having such a housing (5), and to a chair (1), in particular an office chair, having such a rocking mechanism (4). A housing (5) for a rocking mechanism (4) of a chair (1), in particular an office chair, comprises a receptacle (6) for a chair column (3), a seat carrier (8) integrated in the housing (5) or seat carrier mounting means for fixing the seat carrier (8) to the housing (5), and backrest carrier mounting means (12, 15) for fixing a backrest carrier (18) to the housing (5).

Description

Rocking mechanism for chairs, in particular office chairs

Technical Field

The invention relates to a housing for a rocker mechanism, to a rocker mechanism having such a housing, and to a chair, in particular an office chair, having such a rocker mechanism.

Background

As mechanisms for office chairs, especially synchro mechanisms and rocking mechanisms are known. The expression "synchronization mechanism" is understood here to mean an assembly in the seat substructure of an office chair which ensures a kinematics coupling to one another which in turn brings about a specific relative movement of the seat and the backrest with respect to one another. A seat of an office chair is usually provided with a upholstered seat surface and is mounted on a seat carrier. A backrest carrier, which extends in the usual manner backwards from the actual synchronizing mechanism, carries the backrest of the office chair on upwardly extending brackets. The seat carrier and the backrest carrier are usually coupled in an articulated manner in such a way that a rearward pivoting movement of the backrest, which may be caused, for example, by a chair user leaning against the backrest, causes a downward lowering movement of the rear edge of the seat. This should prevent the so-called "shirt pull-out effect" and improve the seat comfort. Synchronization mechanisms of this type are usually very complex to construct and are therefore very expensive to produce.

In contrast, the rocker mechanism is a relatively simply constructed component in the seat substructure of the chair, in the case of which the backrest carrier is rigidly connected to the seat carrier, the seat or the frame of the chair. The seat carrier-backrest carrier combination thus produced (usually embodied in the form of a one-piece seat-backrest-shell) can be pivoted back about a pivot axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chair when the user of the chair leans against the backrest. Instead of a synchronization mechanism, a wobble mechanism of this type is often used in inexpensive visitor chairs or conference chairs in order to achieve a simple wobble function there. Owing to its relatively simple construction, the wobble mechanism is substantially less expensive to produce than the synchronization mechanism described above.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a chair, in particular an office chair, having a rocker mechanism which can be produced particularly inexpensively.

This object is achieved by a mechanism housing according to claim 1 or by a rocking mechanism according to claim 7 or by a chair according to claim 8. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The present invention relates to a rocking mechanism, that is, a mechanism in which: in which the backrest carrier is rigidly connected to the seat carrier, the seat or the chair frame. In particular, the invention relates to a rocker mechanism in which the backrest carrier is rigidly connected to the mechanism housing. In this case, either the housing in which the seat support is integrated or the housing with the seat support mounting device for rigidly fixing the seat support to the housing is involved. As a result, either a rigid seat carrier-backrest carrier combination or a rigid housing-backrest carrier combination is present. In both cases, the seat carrier and the backrest carrier form one moving unit. The movement unit is characterized in that the seat carrier and the backrest carrier do not move relative to one another. In other words, the seat carrier and the backrest carrier always move on the same movement track.

The basic idea of the invention is to separate the seat or seat carrier and the backrest or backrest carrier from one another in terms of structure in the case of a rocking mechanism. A standard module design can thus be achieved, in which case the housing can be combined as a base module of the mechanism (as required by the customer) with different backrest supports, likewise (as long as replacement possibilities are provided for this purpose) with different seat supports or seats and (as an alternative variant) optionally with different armrests.

Such a modular construction of the rocker housing makes it possible in particular to reduce storage and production costs, to simplify the installation process and to reduce maintenance costs, in particular if the backrest carrier and optionally the seat carrier and the armrest and the corresponding mounting device are standardized components, parts or connections.

Accordingly, the housing of the rocker mechanism according to the invention for a chair (in particular an office chair) comprises a receptacle for a chair column and a backrest carrier attachment device for fixing the backrest carrier to the housing. This provides a rocker housing (preferably made of plastic material) which at the same time offers a fixing possibility for the backrest of the chair.

The mechanism housing preferably comprises a seat carrier integrated in the housing. In this variant, the housing serves at the same time as a seat carrier, i.e. forms a structure which carries the actual seat, in particular a seat cushion.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the housing has a seat carrier attachment for fixing the seat carrier to the housing. In this case, the seat carrier is not an integral component of the mechanism housing, but can be selected (following the concept of modular construction) just like the backrest carrier by selecting suitable components.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing has an armrest mounting device for selectively securing the armrest to the housing.

In order to achieve the rocking function, the housing according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment comprises suitable pivoting means, by means of which the housing can be pivoted about a pivot axis extending transversely to the housing longitudinal direction (later chair longitudinal direction). Thus in the mounted state, the housing will be able to pivot backwards if the user of the chair leans against the backrest. The embodiments and methods of the pivoting device are not material to the present invention. Different ways of providing suitable pivoting means are known to the person skilled in the art.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing has a spring assembly for determining the pivot resistance of the pivot device and thus of the wobble mechanism. In order to determine the pivot resistance of the mechanism and to return the seat-backrest combination from the pivoted position into the non-pivoted normal position, a spring assembly is provided in the rocker mechanism (preferably in the mechanism housing). Thus, even if the backrest carrier is not installed, the housing preferably already comprises all the components necessary for performing the mechanical function, i.e. swinging against the spring force of the spring and returning the seat backrest unit into the normal position.

In preferred embodiments, the backrest carrier mounting device is designed such that, irrespective of whether the backrest carrier is fixed to the housing, no influence is exerted on the structural integrity of the housing nor on the functionality of the rocker mechanism.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting device is designed in such a way that the backrest carrier can be fixed to and removed from the housing without interfering with the structural integrity of the housing. In other words, the structural integrity, i.e. the stability and strength of the housing, is ensured independently of the installation state of the backrest carrier. Furthermore, the housing is fully functional even without a backrest carrier fixed thereto, which not only relates to the installability of the chair column, but also to the implementability of the function of the mechanism (rocking or pivoting back and forth) and the function of the spring assembly inside the housing. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is closed or substantially closed independently of the mounting of the backrest carrier, i.e. no foreign bodies and dirt can enter the interior of the housing even if the backrest carrier is not fixed to the housing. This is preferably achieved by: the mounting means simultaneously form part of the housing. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the backrest carrier attachment device comprises a receptacle for the backrest carrier, which is arranged on the housing, wherein the receptacle is open on at least one side thereof for the purpose of achieving its receiving function, but all other sides of the receptacle (which form a receiving space for the backrest carrier) are closed or substantially closed relative to the interior of the mechanism housing.

The rocking mechanism according to the invention is constructed in the following way: the backrest carrier is fixed to the mechanism housing by means of the backrest carrier mounting device (as described above).

The chair according to the invention is obtained by: the rocking mechanism is arranged on a chair leg (e.g. of a chair cross).

This results in a chair, in particular an office chair, which can be produced particularly inexpensively.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The attached drawings are as follows:

figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic view of a chair,

figure 2 shows a perspective view of the upper side of the first rocking mechanism housing,

figure 3 shows a side view of the rocking mechanism housing in figure 2,

figure 4 shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the rocking mechanism housing in figure 2,

figure 5 shows the rocking mechanism housing of figure 2 from below,

figure 6 shows a side view of the second rocking mechanism housing,

figure 7 shows a perspective view of the upper side of the rocking mechanism housing of figure 6,

figure 8 shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the rocking mechanism housing in figure 6,

fig. 9 shows the rocking mechanism housing in fig. 6 from below.

Detailed Description

All the figures are not to scale, the invention is shown here only schematically and comprises only important constituents thereof. The same reference numbers here correspond to functionally identical or similar elements.

The conference or visitor chair 1 comprises a chair leg 3 connected to a chair swivel cross foot (Stuhldrehkreuz)2, on which a rocking mechanism 4 is arranged, see fig. 1. The rocking mechanism 4 arranged in the lower structure of the chair 1 comprises a mechanism housing 5 which can be placed on the chair column 3. The mechanism housing 5 made of plastic material has a receptacle 6 for the chair column 3. For this purpose, the mechanism housing 5 comprises a conical block 7, in which a conical receptacle 6 is provided. The chair column 3 can have a gas spring for height adjustment of the mechanism housing 5. The mechanism housing 5 comprises as an integral element a seat carrier 8 carrying a seat 10 of the chair 1.

In the example shown in fig. 2 to 5, the seat 10 is mounted on the seat carrier 8. In the example shown in fig. 6 to 9, the seat 10 is not yet installed. Fig. 6 shows the mechanism housing 5 with the seat 10 removed, so that the upper side 13 of the mechanism housing 5, which is designed as a seat plate carrier, is visible.

The mechanism housing 5 is rigidly connected to a backrest carrier 18 which carries a backrest 20. The interconnected housing/backrest units form a movement unit. For fixing the backrest carrier 18, the mechanism housing 5 comprises a backrest carrier mounting device.

In the two embodiments shown here by way of example, the backrest carrier attachment device comprises a receptacle 12 which is mounted on the bottom side 14 of the mechanism housing 5 and is open downward and rearward (viewed in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the chair longitudinal direction), but is closed in the other direction, into which a backrest carrier 18 can be pushed or inserted by means of its attachment end and then screwed or otherwise suitably connected to the mechanism housing 5. For this purpose, the backrest carrier mounting means comprise suitable connecting elements (for example holes 15 or the like) for establishing the screw connection. In other cases, other connecting elements can be used, for example elements for forming a snap-fit or snap-fit connection or the like. All connections are preferably releasable, so that a simple replacement of the backrest is possible.

By inserting the backrest carrier 18 into the receptacle 12, a force-locking and/or form-locking connection can be produced between the backrest carrier 18 and the mechanism housing 5 depending on the embodiment of the connecting element. Preferably (as shown in the figures) a force-fitting screw connection is produced.

The shape and size of the receiving portion 12 can be changed. In the example illustrated here, the two side walls 16 of the receptacle 12 advantageously run parallel to one another in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the chair longitudinal direction, while the front wall 17 of the receptacle 12 is of convex design and extends symmetrically into the receiving space. This results in a particularly good mechanical stability of the connection and a reliable transmission of force between the two main parts of the housing/backrest/movement unit.

In the case of the mechanism housing 5 shown in fig. 2 to 5, the side walls 16 and the front wall 17 of the receptacle 12 are embodied substantially smoothly. In the case of the mechanism housing 5 shown in fig. 6 to 9, both the side walls 16 and the front wall 17 of the receptacle 12 are each provided with a plurality of recesses (grooves) 21 which are flush with the walls and which engage with corresponding noses (not shown) formed on the backrest carrier 18 in order to establish a particularly tight and mechanically loadable connection between the mechanism housing 5 and the backrest carrier 18.

If the user of the chair 1 leans against the backrest 20, the mechanism housing 5 can be pivoted (together with the mounted backrest carrier 18 and backrest 20) about the pivot axis 11 in the pivot direction 19 backwards along the chair longitudinal direction 9 against the spring force of a suitable spring assembly (not shown) acting between the cone block 7 and the mechanism housing 5 by means of suitable pivoting means (not shown). The common pivot axis 11 of the mechanism housing/backrest unit, which extends transversely to the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the longitudinal direction of the chair, is the only pivot axis of the entire mechanism 4. The spring assembly can comprise one or more suitable spring elements, such as helical compression springs.

In the case of the example shown in fig. 2 to 5, the mechanism housing 5 is embodied such that it is arranged completely below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8. The receptacle 12 of the backrest carrier mounting device provided for the backrest carrier 18 is integrated into the mechanism housing 5 in such a way that the backrest carrier 18 is connected to the mechanism housing 5 completely below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8 in the mounted state. In other words, the contact surfaces of the backrest carrier 18 and the mechanism housing 5 are located completely below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8.

In the case of the example shown in fig. 6 to 9, the mechanism housing 5 is designed such that only a part of the mechanism housing 5 (that is to say only the part of the mechanism housing 5 in which the conical receptacle 6 is mounted) is arranged below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8. A further part of the mechanism housing 5 (i.e. the part in which the backrest carrier attachment device, in particular the receptacle 12, is mounted) is designed as a U-shaped leg 22 which extends out to the rear, viewed in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the chair longitudinal direction, behind the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8. In this way, a large distance can be formed between the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8 on the one hand and the backrest 20 or the backrest carrier 18 on the other hand. The receptacle 12 of the backrest carrier mounting device provided for the backrest carrier 18 is then integrated into the mechanism housing 5 in such a way that the backrest carrier 18 is completely connected to the mechanism housing 5 outside the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8 in the mounted state, i.e. behind the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8, as viewed in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the chair longitudinal direction. In other words, the contact surfaces of the backrest carrier 18 and the mechanism housing 5 are neither partially nor completely located below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8.

In both cases, the opening 23 of the receptacle 12, which is directed to the rear, viewed in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or chair longitudinal direction, is substantially aligned with the rear wall 24 of the mechanism housing 5 and ends with the rear edge 25 of the housing bottom side 14. Whereas in the case of the mechanism housing 5 according to fig. 2 to 5 the opening 23 of the receiving means 12 which is directed to the rear is located below the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8, in the case of the mechanism housing 5 according to fig. 6 to 9 the opening 23 of the receiving means 12 is located behind the seat 10 or the seat carrier 8, as viewed in the housing longitudinal direction 9 or the chair longitudinal direction, but at most only on a line in which the rear edge of the seat carrier 8 is located.

In other embodiments not shown here, the receptacle 12 is not open on both sides (i.e. rearward and downward), but the receptacle 12 has only one open side, i.e. the opening 23. The opening 23 of the receptacle 12 is directed, for example, only to the rear or only to the bottom. In these cases, the receiving space is always delimited by four side walls 16 and a front wall 17, so that a particularly large contact surface (contact and connection surface) is provided between the backrest carrier 18 and the mechanism housing 5.

The mechanism housing 5 illustrated in fig. 2 to 5 has an armrest mounting on the housing bottom side 14 (directly connected to the two longitudinal sides 27 of the mechanism housing 5) for selectively fixing an armrest (not shown) on the mechanism housing 5. The armrest mounting is a receptacle 28 which is inserted into the bottom side 14 of the mechanism housing 5 and is open toward the bottom and toward the side, but is closed in the other direction, into which receptacle the armrest bearing can be pushed or inserted and subsequently screwed or otherwise suitably connected to the mechanism housing 5.

All features shown in the description, the claims and the drawings can be of significance both individually and in any combination with one another.

List of reference numerals

1 chair

2 rotating cross foot

3 chair support

4 swinging mechanism

5 mechanism shell

6 conical accommodation part

7 conical block

8-seat carrier

9 longitudinal direction of shell, longitudinal direction of chair

10 seats

11 pivot axis

12 receptacle for a backrest carrier

13 upper side of the casing

14 bottom side of the housing

15 holes

16 side wall of the receptacle

17 front wall of the receptacle

18 backrest carrier

19 direction of pivoting

20 backrest

21 concave part

22-leg and backrest bearing piece connecting device

23 opening of the receiving part

24 rear wall of mechanism housing

25 rear edge of bottom side of housing

26 rear edge of the seat carrier

27 longitudinal sides of mechanism housing

28 receptacle for a handrail carrier

Claims

1. Housing (5) for a rocking mechanism (4) of a chair (1), in particular an office chair

-having a receptacle (6) for a chair column (3),

-having a seat carrier (8) integrated in the housing (5) or having a seat carrier mounting device for fixing the seat carrier (8) on the housing (5), and

-having backrest carrier mounting means (12, 15) for fixing the backrest carrier (18) on the housing (5).

2. Housing (5) according to claim 1, having at least one armrest mounting device (28, 15).

3. The housing (5) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, which has a pivoting device, by means of which the housing (5) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (11) extending transversely to the housing longitudinal direction (9).

4. Housing (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, having a spring assembly for specifying a pivoting resistance of the pivoting means.

5. The housing (5) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the backrest carrier mounting means (12, 15) are designed such that the structural integrity of the housing (5) is not affected whether or not the backrest carrier (18) is fixed to the housing (5).

6. The housing (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the backrest carrier mounting device (12, 15) is designed such that the functionality of the rocking mechanism (4) is not affected whether or not the backrest carrier (18) is fixed on the housing (5).

7. Rocking mechanism (4) for a chair (1), in particular an office chair, having a mechanism housing (5) according to one of claims 1 to 6 which can be placed on a chair column (3), having a backrest carrier (18) which is fixed on the mechanism housing (5) by means of a backrest carrier mounting device (12, 15).

8. Chair (1), in particular an office chair, having a chair pillar (3) on which a rocking mechanism (4) according to claim 7 is mounted.