EP0091936B1 - Tilting mechanism for a chair - Google Patents

Tilting mechanism for a chair Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0091936B1
EP0091936B1 EP82903252A EP82903252A EP0091936B1 EP 0091936 B1 EP0091936 B1 EP 0091936B1 EP 82903252 A EP82903252 A EP 82903252A EP 82903252 A EP82903252 A EP 82903252A EP 0091936 B1 EP0091936 B1 EP 0091936B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tilting mechanism
chair
recesses
channel
locking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP82903252A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0091936A1 (en
Inventor
David Ernest Carter
William John Hancock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pledge Office Chairs Ltd
Original Assignee
Pledge Office Chairs Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pledge Office Chairs Ltd filed Critical Pledge Office Chairs Ltd
Publication of EP0091936A1 publication Critical patent/EP0091936A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0091936B1 publication Critical patent/EP0091936B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/022—Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/024—Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination
    • A47C1/026—Reclining or easy chairs having independently-adjustable supporting parts the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination by means of peg-and-notch or pawl-and-ratchet mechanism

Definitions

  • This invention relates to tilting mechanisms for chairs, of a kind comprising two parts, for connection, in use, to the chair seat and chair back respectively, said two parts being pivotally connected together for relative pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, means being provided for securing the two parts of the mechanism in a required relative angular position, whereby, in use, the angle of the chair back with respect to the chair seat can be adjusted.
  • Such a mechanism is frequently used in what are commonly referred to as "typists" chairs.
  • the part for connection to the chair back is provided with a fixed extension which lies in a vertical plane, projects forwardly and is formed along its forward edge with an arcuate row of notches centred about the axis of pivoting of the chair back.
  • Engageable with the notches is part of an operating arm mounted for horizontal swinging movement on the chair seat, a spring being provided to urge the arm rearwardly into engagement with the extension.
  • Such an arrangement has the advantage that it provides for positive location of the chair back with respect to the seat, and does not rely on frictional engagement as is the case in other known designs.
  • the described arrangement suffers from two major disadvantages. Firstly, in order to provide a row of notches of sufficient length, the dimensions of the extension projects beyond the chair seat part at the upper and lower limits of its pivoting movement. The upward projection must be accommodated in the design of seat, whereas the downward projection of the extension below the seat makes for an unsightly appearance.
  • the horizontal swinging movement of the operating arm necessitated by the up-and- down swinging movement of the extension, means that there is, in practice, a risk of accidentally knocking the arm out of engagement with the notched extension so that the chair back is free to fall backwards under the weight of a person sitting in the chair.
  • any weakening or failure of the spring urging the operating arm into engagement with the extension may also permit the arm to slip out of engagement with the notches, again permitting movement of the chair back.
  • a tilting mechanism for a chair in which a quadrant with internal recesses is fixed to one end of a shaft which extends transversely across a chair seat.
  • the quadrant is contained in a side bracket forming part of one arm of the chair and is connected by a pivotal link to a back of the chair which is hinged about a horizontal axis to the chair seat.
  • Backward movement of the chair back against a spring causes the quadrant, through said link, to pivot on said shaft.
  • the quadrant can be locked in a selected position by a locking spindle which forces a steel ball into one of the internal recesses of the quadrant.
  • a connecting lever and a link are provided for the back rest to stabilise it during its pivotal movement, the lever and link being provided in a side bracket forming part of the other arm of the chair.
  • This tilting mechanism requires a large amount of space, is of complex form, and has several of its components exposed to normal view during use.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a chair tilting mechanism which enables a chair back rest to be tilted easily and reliably, provides for positive location of the chair back, and is relatively inexpensive to produce, but which overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages.
  • a tilting mechanism for a chair comprises a first part and a second part for association with a chair seat part and a back of the chair respectively, the second part being angularly movable relative to the first part about a horizontal pivot, a member pivotably mounted on the first part and defining a plurality of locking positions, a link pivotally connected to both the second part and the member so that angular movement of the second part is directly transmitted to the member, and locking means engageable with said member at a selected one of said locking positions to define a selected relative angular orientation of said first and second parts, .
  • the locking means being releasable to allow relative movement between said parts to a different relative angular orientation, characterised in that the first part defines a channel between a pair of spaced apart side plates for connection to the underside of the chair seat part, that the second part is directly pivotally connected to the first part by a horizontal pivot between the side plates so that the second part can move angularly about its pivot, with a portion of the second part moving into the channel, that said member is mounted in the channel on a pivot extending between the side plates of the channel, and that said locking means extend into the channel to engage a locking position.
  • the movable member can be movably mounted on said first part of the mechanism so as to overcome the disadvantages referred to above.
  • the movable member is pivotally mounted on said first part, with said link preferably being pivotally connected to the movable member at a point spaced from the pivotal mounting of the member.
  • the type of chair to which the mechanism of the present invention is usually applied is that conventionally referred to a typists' chair.
  • a chair is shown in Figure 1.
  • the chair has a base comprising five castor-supporting legs 10 extending radially outwardly from the bottom of an upright, cylindrical support column 11.
  • the legs are equi-angularly spaced around the column in the form of a star.
  • the column 11 has conventional gas spring height adjustment means for raising or lowering a seat 12 of the chair in accordance with the user's requirements.
  • a backrest 13 of the chair is connected to the seat 12 by means of an oval section tube 14. By way of the tube 14 the backrest is spaced above and somewhat behind the seat 12.
  • the column may have provision for rotary movement relative to the part of the base formed by the five legs 10.
  • FIGS 1 to 4 show a frame 15 on which an upholstered seat pad would be fitted.
  • This frame 15 constitutes a first part of the mechanism.
  • the tube 14 is engaged in a socket in which it can be adjusted vertically to alter the position of the backrest 13 in a vertical direction relatively to the seat 12.
  • This adjustment facility is provided by way of a resilient sleeve 16 surrounding the tube 14.
  • the sleeve 16 is carried in a bracket 17 in which is engaged a locking bar.
  • the bar has a head at one end and an operating lever portion at the other end.
  • the U-shaped bracket 17 is therefore normally secured relatively to the backrest but the latter can be adjusted in the vertical direction as described.
  • the frame 15 carrying the seat 12 is an elongated inverted channel and the bracket 17 is pivotally connected to the frame 15 by means of a horizontal pivot pin 18 extending through registering holes in the side flanges of the frame 15 and of the bracket 17.
  • the bracket 17 constitutes a second part of the tilting mechanism.
  • a socket member 19 into which the upper end of a support post 20 fitted in the top of the column 11 is received in conventional manner.
  • a coiled torsion spring 21 Surrounding the pivot pin 18 is a coiled torsion spring 21 having one limb engaging the base of the inverted channel of the frame 15 and the other limb engaging a second pivot pin 22 at the lower extremity of the bracket 17.
  • a coiled torsion spring 21 Surrounding the pivot pin 18 is a coiled torsion spring 21 having one limb engaging the base of the inverted channel of the frame 15 and the other limb engaging a second pivot pin 22 at the lower extremity of the bracket 17.
  • two levers 23, 24 Connected to the pivot pin 22 are two levers 23, 24 making up a linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism being retained in a fixed axial position on the pivot pin 22 by means of a cylindrical sleeve 22a also carried on the pivot pin 22.
  • Each lever is made up of a first straight part and a shorter second straight part integrally connected by a short step portion. The two first straight parts of the respective levers are parallel and interconnected by a short integral lug 25.
  • the shorter second straight parts of the respective levers are also parallel and lie close to opposite sides of a sector or quadrant shaped angularly movable member 26. These shorter straight parts of the respective levers are pivotally connected together through a pivot pin 27 to said corner of the movable member 26. Since the bracket 17 is deeper than the frame 15, the pivot 22 is below the side flanges of the frame 15.
  • the movable member 26 lies in a vertical plane - and is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 28 which extends between the two side flanges of the frame 15.
  • the upper edge of the movable member 26 opposite the pivot pin 27 is formed with a series of recesses or teeth 29 lying along an arc of which the centre coincides with the pivot pin 28 for the member 26.
  • the pivot pin 27 is located remote from the recesses 29 behind the pivot pin 28.
  • a locking bar 30 can engage in any one of the recesses 29 in the member 26.
  • This locking bar is pivotally engaged at 31 in one of the side flanges of the frame 15 and is secured thereto by an appropriate locking device which may be a split pin or other fastening arrangement.
  • the other end of the locking bar extends through a slot in the other side flange of the frame 15 so as to allow the bar to move up and down to a limited extent.
  • the free end of the bar 30 is formed with a handle and is of such a length that the handle is accessible by a person sitting on the chair, as are also the operating portion of the locking bar for raising and lowering the backrest, and the operating means for raising or lowering the seat 12 relative to the base of the chair.
  • the arrangement of the spring 21 is such that it biases the movable member 26 to the position shown in Figure 2, wherein the backrest is generally upright.
  • a coiled tension spring 32 is connected between the bar 30 and the pivot pin 28 so as to urge the bar 30 downwardly into engagement with the member 26, and in particular into one of the recesses 29, so as to lock the member 26 relative to the frame 15 and thus to fix the frame 15 and bracket 17 in a particular relative angular orientation.
  • Provision, not shown, is made for securing the pivot pins 18, 22, 27 and 28 in the appropriate component to prevent endwise movement.
  • Split pins, locking washers or other devices may be used for this purpose.
  • the bar 30 When it is required to adjust the angle of the chair back in relation to the seat, the bar 30 is raised to disengage it from its recess 29 in the member 26. This raising of the bar 30 takes place against the action of the spring 32. Pressure can then be applied to the backrest of the chair to move it forwardly or rearwardly to the desired position.
  • the pivoting movement of the bracket 17 on which the backrest is mounted takes place about the pivot pin 18 against the action of the spring 21, and this pivoting movement is transmitted through the links 23, 24 to the sector or quadrant shaped member 26 which swings about its pivot pin 28 to bring a new recess beneath the bar 30.
  • the bar 30 When the back rest of the chair is in the desired new position, the bar 30 is released and is pulled downwardly by the action of the spring 32 so that it engages in the appropriate recess beneath it.
  • the sides of the recesses 29 are generally arcuate so that downward move--ment of the bar 30 can effect any slight necessary movement of the member 26 so that the bar can enter to the full depth of the appropriate recess.
  • Figure 2 shows the backrest in its most upright position with the bar 30 in its locking position in a recess 29 in the member 26.
  • Figure 4 shows the bar 30 released from the member 26, with the backrest tilted slightly rearwardly so that a different one of the recesses is now under the bar.
  • slightly raised portions of the member 26 are provided at opposite ends of the row of recesses, thereby to limit the permitted swinging movement of the member 26.
  • the tilting mechanism described provides a simple adjustment and is relatively inexpensive to produce. In addition it overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art referred to.
  • the member 26 lies wholly within the channel of the frame 15 during the whole of its possible movement. Moreover any weakening of the spring 26 will not render the mechanism inoperative or release the backrest since the bar 30 is urged downwardly by gravity into engagement with the recesses 29. Moreover accidental release of the bar 30 is unlikely as it would have to be moved upwardly against the action of the spring 32.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative form of mechanism, although mostly this is of a form quite similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4.
  • Figures 5 and 6 the same numerals have been used for parts which are the same as those described in Figures 1 to 4.
  • FIG. 5 Another difference in the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 concerns the spring means which bias the backrest to a rest position.
  • the torsion spring 21 is provided.
  • a helical tension spring 33 is connected between the pivot pins 18 and 27. As can be seen from Figure 5 this tends to bias the backrest towards the seat 12.
  • the tension spring 33 may be connected between the pivot pin 22 and one flange of the channel shaped frame 15.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chairs Characterized By Structure (AREA)
EP82903252A 1981-10-28 1982-10-28 Tilting mechanism for a chair Expired EP0091936B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8132418 1981-10-28
GB8132418 1981-10-28
CA000460772A CA1235993A (en) 1981-10-28 1984-08-10 Tilting mechanism for a chair

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0091936A1 EP0091936A1 (en) 1983-10-26
EP0091936B1 true EP0091936B1 (en) 1986-02-12

Family

ID=46490845

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82903252A Expired EP0091936B1 (en) 1981-10-28 1982-10-28 Tilting mechanism for a chair

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0091936B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU547268B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1235993A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE3249163T1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK298283D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB2108575A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL8220397A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO1983001562A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU572545B2 (en) * 1983-08-09 1988-05-12 Pledge Office Chairs Ltd. Tilting mechanism for a chair
DE8500390U1 (de) * 1985-01-09 1985-04-04 Steifensand Sitzmöbel- und Tischfabrik Inh.: F. Martin Steifensand, 8501 Wendelstein Stuhl oder sessel
DE19502649A1 (de) * 1995-01-28 1996-08-01 Stoll Kg Christof Arretiermechanik für die neigbare Lehne eines Stuhles
US6588843B1 (en) * 2000-10-06 2003-07-08 Ghsp, Incorporated Chair control
GB2443058B (en) * 2006-09-30 2011-09-21 Huang Yucheng Adjustment apparatus for a swivel chair
EP3701839B1 (en) * 2019-02-27 2022-11-16 L&P Property Management Company Control mechanism for a chair

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE35467C (de) * F. BREYER in Berlin, Bülowstr. 99 Verstellbarer Stuhl
GB191307950A (en) * 1913-04-04 1913-10-09 Edgar George Payne Improvements in Adjustable Chairs.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1983001562A1 (en) 1983-05-11
NL8220397A (nl) 1983-09-01
DE3249163C2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1988-12-29
CA1235993A (en) 1988-05-03
AU547268B2 (en) 1985-10-10
DE3249163T1 (de) 1983-11-03
GB2108575A (en) 1983-05-18
DK298283A (da) 1983-06-28
DK298283D0 (da) 1983-06-28
EP0091936A1 (en) 1983-10-26
AU9053782A (en) 1983-05-18

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