DE1654283A1 - Height adjustment device for swivel chairs - Google Patents

Description

KNOLL ASSOCIATES, Inc., New York, V. St. v. A.

Height adjustment device for swivel chairs

The present invention relates to the construction of a Chair, in particular a height adjustment device for use in swivel chairs.

Swivel chairs, for example office chairs with a base part and an upwardly extending stand on which the seat is rotatably attached, are expediently equipped with a height adjustment device with which the seat can be adjusted to any person sitting on the chair. The typical altitude
Adjusting devices have protruding parts / eg in general
a threaded shaft and a handwheel, which are not only unsightly,

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but also cause snagging or soiling of the user's clothes. Often times the chair needs to be used to adjust the Seat height, and in some cases the person sitting in the chair has to bend down to operate the adjusting wheel. Due to the modern directions in furniture design and the current market situation, there is demand for . Chairs whose external appearance is not impaired by such unsightly, protruding parts. It therefore exists Interest in a height adjustment mechanism for swivel chairs in which all mechanical parts are enclosed by the normal chair shape and are therefore invisible, and in which, furthermore, the attitude the seat height of the person sitting on the chair without Stooping can be done while the chair is in its normal position.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved height adjuster of simple and compact construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a height adjusting device, the elements of which are essentially perfect are enclosed by the normal stool shape.

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The invention is also intended to provide a space-saving height " Adjusting device are created. By the user while standing can be adjusted easily and effectively.

The height adjustment device disclosed here comprises a tubular stand that sits telescopically in a tubular hub. A threaded shaft is rotatably mounted in the hub on the same axis. A single thread nut attached to the base of the stator engages the shaft and holds the stator on the shaft. The nut is normally mounted on the shaft in such a way that the stator and the shaft are rotatable together with respect to the hub when the seat surface is rotated at a fixed height. Means are provided for selectively fixed connection dec shaft to the hub, so that to rotate by rotation of the seat surface of the stator and the nut with respect to the shaft, which reaches the height adjustment of the chair.

The present invention is characterized in that a stand connected to the seat is telescopically seated in the hub, that an externally threaded shaft is rotatably mounted in the hub, that a number of the threads of the thread have notches, that a nut is connected to the stand is connected and has a thread which is in engagement with the thread of the white to support the seat surface on the base part, that in the thread 'ein_Arjce * ierungteil

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to block the nut in the notch in that turn of the thread on which the ¹ thread turn of the nut is supported, but also to release the nut from the notch when a predetermined torque is applied to the nut or the shaft to rotate one of these parts in relation on the other is designed that a block is provided for any desired position of the VJe He against rotation with respect to the base that said torque is applicable to the nut for its rotation with respect to the shaft when the seat surface is pivoted during this position is that by pivoting the lock from the notch for unimpeded rotational movement of the nut on the shaft up or down is releasable, and that, if the locking is not effective, the seat with the stand and the shaft, which by the lock are mutually blocked for rotation with respect to the property and the base part, is pivotable.

Further details of the invention emerge from the following description of what is shown in the accompanying drawing Embodiment. In the drawing is:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a support frame for a Chair made with the improved height adjuster of the present invention Invention is equipped.

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FIG. 2 is an enlarged section along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing details of the height adjusting device.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the in Pig. 2 in Section shown nut with a single thread.

FIG. 4 is a section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a section along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 and

7 shows a partial section corresponding to the representation of FIG. 2, but showing the arrangement of the adjustment elements during height adjustment.

1 shows a seat surface 1 (only partially shown here) which is rotatably fastened to a base part 2. The height adjusting device 7 according to the invention is arranged between the seat surface 1 and the base part 2 under a tubular stand 8, which is almost completely enclosed with the seat surface 1 by a tubular name 9 and is connected to the base part 2. The rotary movement is achieved by the telescopically nested parts 8, 9, which are connected to the seat surface 1 or the

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Base part 2 are connected. By the height adjustment device according to the invention 7, the stand 8 is held at a desired height and against axial displacement, however a rotation to pivot the seat 1 with respect to the Hub 9 is possible. The adjusting device 7 can, however, also for the purpose of changing the seat surface height with respect to the base • part 2 cause the stator 8 to move axially upwards or downwards as it rotates with respect to the hub 9.

The seat 1 can be rigidly connected to the stand 8. Preferably, however, an adjusting mechanism 5, the a tilting movement of the seat 1 in relation to the stand 8 and allows the base part 2, partly attached to the seat 1 and partly to the stand 8. The adjustment mechanism 3 contains a shell holder 5a which is rigidly attached to a shell 5 by suitable means, for example screws 6. This bowl can be viewed as a seat, but is often upholstered or a similar element and is therefore generally shown as consisting of the shell 5 and its accessories Adjusting mechanism 3 is rotatable with the shell holder 5a Stand 8 connected. He forms a resilient resistance against. a tilting movement of the seat 1 with respect to .the stand 8 and is with a handwheel 4 to the initial resistance against this Tilting movement set,

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In connection with the height adjustment device 7 according to the invention, any suitable adjustment mechanism 3 can be used. A Spannungsverstellmechanismus, which is particularly advantageous due to its characteristics for use in conjunction with the inventive height adjusting device J is described in co-pending patent application entitled "adjustment device for a chair," filed on Α'Α # λ Λ. ^{9 6th 7} shown and claimed.

1 clearly shows the compact construction of the height adjustment device according to the present invention, ^{which is harmoniously adapted to the seat surface x 1 and the base part 2.} It is also clearly seen there. ji <~ "elements of the eri ':' ndungsgemässen adjusting device, which are necessary for a complaint-free function with ae ^ ■ operation for any pivoting or height adjustment, are essentially enclosed and therefore invisible, whereby the device for use in Wbindur'g; with is particularly suitable for any chair model without impairing its external shape. ".-...

The section of FIG. 2 shows a lower section of the stand 8 which delimits a hollow housing 6o. On the stand are two axially spaced, annular paragraphs 5o, • 53 trained. The paragraph 5o is preferably in the middle part of the

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Axis provided while the paragraph 53 near the lower end of the stand 8 is formed * In. from paragraphs 5o, 53 formed outer depressions are ring sockets 5 ^, 55 * which act as a transverse bearing and the stand 8 in its relation on the hub 9 hold coaxial arrangement, but also a relative rotation and mutual axial displacement of these two Allow parts.

A shaft 61 is rotatably mounted in the hub 9. The shaft 61 has an upper section with a spiral thread 7o, a shaft journal 62 with a reduced cross section and a shoulder 63 with flat edge surfaces. The latter two parts extend axially downward from the upper shaft section. A base plate 64 sits in the lower end of the tubular hub 9 and is connected to it, as shown at 65, preferably by welding. The base plate 64 has a central opening 66 which receives a bearing 6J . The bearing 67 comprises a thin-walled, cylindrical section 67a lying in the opening 66 and a thick-walled, annular edge section 67b which sits on the surface of the base plate 64. It is advantageous to arrange a flat annular disk 68 on the upper side of the edge section 67b. The upper threaded section of the shaft 6i sits on the annular disk 68, while the shaft journal 62 extends through the openings in the bearing 67 and in the shoulder 63 and from the underside of the base plate 64 downwards.

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The nut 75, which has a single turn, is, as shown at 76, welded to the lower end of the stator 8 and is only supported by the stator 8 on the shaft - 61 by the thread 7o of ', / all -61. The mother 75 is:. ::; shown most clearly in the perspective illustration of FIG. 3 and is expediently punched out of an annular steel disc. The inner part of the annular disc is cut into 77 and bent so that it forms a single substantially spiral turn 78 with the same thread height as the spiral thread 70 on the shaft 61. An e ^ n ---. of the diametrically opposite sections of the turn 78 ε: '.; - "two detents 79 are formed, which protrude downwards, ie . are parallel to the axis of the turn 78 on the nut 75 "nach.unter", r ". Due to this downward bend, an additional blocking is achieved when the seat surface is loaded. The overall dic!:?

jedoi 'of the nut 75 cinschlicsslich the depth of the downward bow / dc - * two detents 79 is slightly smaller than, the Axim ^ λ >> --- .- · between dev Oboreeite a V / indurg and the underside of r /.^ -h - ^ - hoh-rcii V'ir.du ¹ - "^ tzz " r ^ raJgewindes JO of the shaft 61. The width of each clor two detents 79 is somewhat less r'J dJ.e eroite of that formed in the shaft 61 grooves 72. As ε.ν, η Fig. 2 and ¹ I- seen, the detents 79 may vcn the nillen 72 between the spaced Endon. jCei / Ü .- 'from left: the r.illon. split winding of the thread70 ¹ " ¹ .

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wherein the adjoining the locking 79 sections of the spiral part of the turn ^ 78 on one turn of the spiral thread 70 sits up.

There is also a block 8o for optional pest position the shaft 6_1 in the hub 9 and to prevent a. Relative rotation provided with respect to the hub. The locking

80 comprises a blocking plate 81 which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 can be seen, a substantially rectangular, central recess 82, by which the plate 81 is arranged in a sliding fit on the shoulder 63 of the shaft 61. The blocking plate

81 is provided with a number of buttons 85, which are at equal angular intervals with the same radial distance from the center of the Plate are arranged on the flat top. In the illustrated Embodiment are the buttons 85 as a cylindrical

P see pins with a round head. A locking ring 83 sits in channels 84, which are in opposite sides of the approach 6> are cut, and holds the blocking plate 81 on the lug 63.

It can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 6 that the base plate 64 contains a number of openings 86 that are at the same angular intervals and at the same radial distance from the center of the plate as the buttons 85 are arranged. Each opening 86 is

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large enough to accommodate a corresponding button 85, whereby the blocking plate 8i effective against rotation in is blocked with respect to the base plate.

The buttons 8E> and the openings 86 are in their entirety or partially interchangeable, i.e. the former can also protrude downwards in the base plate 64 and the latter can also be arranged in the block support plate 8i * As A single eccentric one for positioning the blocking plate 81 with respect to the base plate 64 can be another alternative Button and a single, similarly off-center opening instead of the plurality of buttons 85 or openings 86 are provided be.

During practical operation of the device, the stand and the shaft 61 are mutually blocked so that they rotate together in μ with respect to the hub 9 - whereby the chair can be pivoted at a constant height. As mentioned above, the locks 79 of the nut 75 are normally received in the vertical grooves 72. The weight of the person sitting on the chair, which is transmitted via the stand 8 and borne by the nut 75, exerts a pressure by which the catches 79 within the grooves 72 are effectively blocked. The nut 75 is therefore in firm engagement with the shaft 61, whereby the

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imagined normal swiveling of the seat required joint Rotation of the stand 8 and the shaft 6i on the bearing 67 is possible ists The hanging sockets 54, 55 enable the swivel movement, while at the same time maintaining the axial alignment of the stand 8 in with respect to the hub 9 maintained.

To adjust the chair height, the shaft 6Ί is blocked against rotation with respect to the hub 9 by actuating the blocking 80. The blocking plate 81 can be raised with the toe of the shoe and the buttons 85 can thus be brought into engagement with the openings 86 in the base plate 64. This can be done without stooping. * Which is an advantage. The operation can also be done by hand. Although it can happen that the buttons 85 are initially not arranged in a straight line with the openings 86 during the exertion of a force acting upwards on the blocking plate 81, the buttons 85 become when the seat surface is pivoted 1 aligned with the openings 86 and inserted into the latter> so that the shaft 61 is blocked with respect to the hub 9.

As soon as the shaft 61 ■ is blocked on the hub 9> the height is adjusted by continuing to turn the seat reached, since between the nut 75 and the shaft 61 a rotary

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moment arises that releases the detents 79 from their blocking position in the grooves 72 so that they slide out of the latter and onto the thread 70. It is thus achieved by simply 'lifting the blocking plate 81 and turning the seat 1 that the nut 75 slides on the thread 70, whereby the height of the seat 1 can be adjusted up or down. 7 shows the process of the locking mechanisms 79 sliding out of the grooves 72. As already mentioned, the depth of the locking mechanisms 79 is dimensioned such that the winding 78 and the locking mechanisms 79 correspond to the distances between the individual windings of the thread 70 of the shaft 61 can slide, whereby the nut 75 is axially adjusted on the shaft oil. After each half turn, the detents 79 come into engagement with the grooves 72 again. However, if the blocking plate is raised further, they immediately slide out of the grooves 72 again when the seat surface 1 is partially rotated. The height is therefore continuously adjustable in steps determined by a half turn. The area within which the- ^? Nut 75 "can be adjusted" is limited at the top by the unthreaded section 71 of the shaft 61 and at the bottom by the washer 68 at the base of the shaft.

The actuation of the blockage 80 is obviously extreme simple and can be carried out to adjust the blocking plate 81 without the aid of the hands. Still, one will

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secure blocking of the shaft at the hub 9 is achieved. The possibility the adjustment of the seat surface height by simply turning the seat surface while the blocking 8o is in engagement is, is a particular advantage, since a seat with the usual dimensions forms a lever arm in each Case is long enough to cause the nut 75 to rotate on the shaft 61 without any particular effort on the part of the user of the chair. It has been shown that this feature of the invention Device, namely the adjustment of the height without Bükken or the help of the hands for the operation of the mechanical Parts in offices are particularly valued by female users.

The height adjusting device 7 according to the invention represents a compact, inexpensive and particularly well-functioning support frame for chairs and is particularly suitable for office chairs. The individual parts of the device are essentially enclosed and therefore invisible, a feature that contributes to the pleasing exterior Appearance of the device contributes. Also reduced the construction according to the invention any tendency of the device, To collect dust and dirt, whereby the device according to the invention works better and has a longer service life than the previously known devices of this type.

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The hole-shaped stand 8 carrying the seat, ί is at Pivoting in the hub 9 freely rotatable and 2 for adjusting the chair height in the hub 9 and from it freely displaceable ^ without the surfaces involved are worn out by these processes. This advantage is not only important for the external appearance, but it also takes a look at the clothes of the user because the surfaces mentioned do not need to be lubricated «

It is clear to those skilled in the art that the invention offers numerous other advantages and can be varied in many ways and adapted for purposes not mentioned in the description. However, the appended claims eivurecken to all changes of this nature _s that do not go beyond the scope of the invention "

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Claims (10)

«M263 - 16 ~ Fat β η t an s ρ r ü c h e 1. Height adjustment device for swivel chairs for adjusting the height of a seat -in relation to a base part connected to a hub, thereby ge Ic e η η ζ e ic h η et that a stand (8) connected to the seat (1) telescopically in the hub (9) sits that a VJeIIe (6l) provided with an external thread (70) is rotatably fastened in the hub, that a number of turns of the thread has notches (72) that a nut. (75) is connected to the stand and with the thread of the shaft for supporting _the: said engaging seat surface on the base portion (2) thread (78), that in the thread of a locking part (79) for locking the nut. the notch in the turn of the thread (70) on which the thread of the nut rests, but also to release the nut from the notch when a predetermined torque is exerted on the nut or the shaft to rotate one of these parts with respect to the other it is designed that a block (80) is provided for any desired locking of the shaft against rotation with respect to the base part, that during this locking the said torque can be applied to the cutters for their rotation with respect to the shaft when the seat surface is pivoted, that by pivoting the locking part from the notch for unhindered rotation of the nut on the ^{ττ Ί} -Ie up or down is releasable t, and that the seat BAD ORSGINAL 10 9 8 11/0 /,? ? . with the stand and the shaft in the case of mutual plague both of the latter is rotatable by blocking with respect to the hub and the base part. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized marked & h net that the turns of the shaft thread (70) are consecutive ' are arranged. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the notches (72) of the individual "^ *"'of the shaft thread (70) at the same radial distance angeo: ^s . and on the circumference of the thread form a series of notches arranged one above the other. k. Device according to one fer preceding claims, dadurV "gekennzei Chne t, that the notches (72) 3 ^m thread (70) substantially in pairs diametrically g © & ert are arranged opposite, and in that the arresting part comprises (79! Two diametrically opposed portions which are designed to engage with two of the opposing notches. 5 «Device according to one of the preceding claims, -da & ux & h. guk & zinzsi without t that the two paragraphs ehnitte & ®s. ' 1.8 - 1Ü0 3 1I / 04 animal part (79) down against the base part (2) and in are bent substantially parallel to the axis of the thread (78) of the nut (75). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hub (9) and the stator (8) are tubular, that the nut (75) is attached to the stand near its lower end, and that the upper part of the Shaft (6l) is arranged displaceably in the section of the stator located above the nut. 7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzei c h η e t that the blocking (80) is a first for common rotation with the shaft (6l) correspondingly arranged device (85) and a second attached to the base part (2) Means (86) and that the first and second means interlock as needed. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7 »characterized in that the second device (86) at a distance is arranged above the first device (85) and opposite this » 10981! / 043J 9 «device that the first device comprises according to one of the preceding claims, characterized geke η η ζ η eic Ii et a plurality of buttons (85) and second DTE a plurality of correspondingly arranged depressions (86)" 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized gekennzei ch η et, that said first means further comprises a non-rotatably fixed to the shaft (6l), but axially in relation to the shaft "movable plate (8l), that the knobs (85 ) are designed like a peg and are arranged protruding upwards at equal angular intervals, that the second device of the blocking (80) contains a base plate {6 * 0 rigidly attached to the order (2) that the Ver + äefunger. (86) arranged at intervals and the button-receiving openings form, "and that the a *. '' Shaft-attached plate for engaging the buttons with the depressions as well as for releasing the buttons from the latter, is axially displaceable far enough up and down. 10 9811/0433