EP0514516A1

EP0514516A1 - Seats, backrests, legrests, hinged, sprung, adjustable in the inclination and in the power given from the springs or the springs of ergonomic seats, chairs and armchairs

Info

Publication number: EP0514516A1
Application number: EP19910920873
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcello Filipponi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-11-14
Filing date: 1991-11-08
Publication date: 1992-11-25
Also published as: PT99498A; IE913946A1; WO1992008395A1

Abstract

Afin d'en faciliter l'utilisation, des sièges, chaises et fauteuils peuvent être dotés de coussins, de dossiers et d'appui-jambes inclinables, articulés et à ressorts. On peut régler l'inclinaison et/ou l'effet de ressort à l'aide de vis ou de barrettes. On utilise un dispositif de blocage pour immobiliser le siège ou analogue dans la position voulue. Afin d'abaisser rapidement le siège, le dossier ou l'appui-jambes, on peut utiliser un variateur de vitesse permettant l'enclenchement ou le désenclenchement du point d'application de la puissance (du siège) et/ou de la résistance aux ressorts.In order to facilitate its use, seats, chairs and armchairs can be fitted with reclining, articulated and spring cushions, backrests and leg supports. The inclination and / or the spring effect can be adjusted using screws or bars. A locking device is used to immobilize the seat or the like in the desired position. In order to quickly lower the seat, the backrest or the leg support, a variable speed drive can be used to engage or disengage the point of application of the power (of the seat) and / or resistance to springs.

Description

Seats, backrests , legrests, hinged , sprung ,adjustable in the inclination and in the power given, from the springs or the springs of ergonomic seats, chairs and armchairs.

Technical field

My invention relates to seats, chairs,armchairs that are employed in the home, office, cars,means of transportation,work-machines Disclosure of invention

Hinged,highly inclinable, sprung seats,backrests,legrests(forward all generically called seats,also in the claims) of ergonomic seats, chairs,armchairs(forward generically called armchairs,also in the claims) would have a side can turn radially around one or more pivots supported by the armchairs structure and would have the possibility to store the potential power of one or more helical torsion spring turning around these pivots(or of traction or

compression springs with an end linked,also by particular additional parts to the armchairs seat and the other end,also by particular parts,to the structure of the armchair ) and could have an adjustment of power that springs can supply( and this in relation to the

charge variety to which they can be subjected) and in relation to the seat inclination as the user's preference, can make easier the human sitting movement,braking the de-scent and suppling a regulated strong push in the standing up. Ergonomic armchairs,besides the usual parts of a chair, can have pivots, springs,inclination and power adjustment of the springs, lock systems to stop seats in the desired position, speed inclination variator(to lift or pull down the seats without using the adjustment) special frames to support the seat and/or to hinge on the pivot and or to link with the springs.

On description drawinigs are abbreviated D.and tables 1.

===== Springs and springs ends =====

The spring drawning are on the table I/2/3

LEGENDA = A = spring end -or arm of spring - or tract of arm B = spring end - or arm of spring

C = spring end - or arm of spring

D = spring end - or arm of spring

E = spring end - or arm of spring

P = spring end - or arm of spring

BL = screw bolt

BR = arm of support

BU = screw bolt or inclination and/or power spring adjustment screw

CF = threated body in which it is screwed BU or V

AP = support face

DA = nut

DD = frame TE inclination adjustment nut

FF = holes for passing through the pivot for hinging of

frame TE with BR

FI = adjustment holes for the inclination of the frame TE by BR

PR = holes to fix SS in various positions

MC = compression spring

MT = traction spring

PE = TE turning pivots

PO = pivot for the articulation with the arm BR

PP = pivot for linking of BR with MT and adjusting of

TE inclination

SS = rolling support

SU = support

TA = BR support notches in place of holes PP

TE = frame

TR = bar

Aletta = tongue

tipi di occhielli = eyes type

riportato = joined

centrale = central

tangenziale = tangenzial piano verticale = vertical plane

piano orizzontale = Horizontal plane

Springs can be helical at torsion, traction,compression an can be cylindrical,at one or more diameter . Springs can be conic and at frustum of cone,linked by smaller bases or vice-versa at ovoid form or in any combination among the said forms. A spring devellopped around an other spring or that continues with a tract in common with an other spring body constitues a multiple spring.

The coils of the spring can modify their pitch or diameter. The ends of. spring can be constituted by the simple interruption of the spiral(D.I5/I6) or they can have a particular form

facilitating the application of the charge(power) on a side and the resistance on the other side and they can be straight or bent arm,which can have one or more bandings on the post appropriate directions . Springs endes can be an eye,an hook,.a joined body,and can have a grinding work (T. I-2-3 , various drawnings).

===== SPRINGS POWER AND SEAT INCLINATION ADJUSTMENT ===== Drawningas are on tables (T.) 4/2I and 5/2I

==== LEGENDA ====

A = screw nut joined with the armchair structure on the Drawnings ( abbreviated D. ) 83/84/85,

B = screw for the adjustment of the inclination and of the power of the spring.

C = screw end for the inclination adjustment: of D.85

P = shaped as letter L end , holed for passing through of the screw B ( D.83/86 ) for the seat frame inclination

BR = support of the seat frame

BR = of the drawnings 83/86 is a screw nut joined with the

armchair structure

BU = screw bolt of blocking of the CU slider

CU = slider running along TR bar for the seat inclination and

spring power adjustment

FF = holes for the moving of the linking with the frame, so modifing its inclination

PI = holes obtained on the arm BR with the same function of FF ML = traction spring

MO = compression spring,that compresses iteself if it's screwed on the support SO against the frame TE wich cannot rise because of the screw B, and so the spring increases its power PE = turning pivot of the frame TE

PP = pivot which can be displaced in the holes FI for the frame inclination adjustment and for the spring power adjustment SO = rolling support of the D.85 and magnificated on plan in D.

88 and of the side on the plan D.89.

TE = support frame with fixing holes AP

TR = armchair structure bar

TO = notches to displace the spot of the arm that's in the

spring and to modify the inclination of TE

VI = knurled screw to block CV on TR

APM= pivot of turning of the seat,and to bring the torsion

springs as in D.84 . In this drawning the nut screw(or nuts B )are joined to the armchair structure and the adjustment of the frame inclination and of the spring power becames screwing one or more screws in the nut screw(or vice-versa) as necessary to engage in advance or in lather the springs which will give a smaller or greater power(A and B,drawning 84,T.5 ) or inclination. Only a screw can be used if the other screw rests on a fixed point , or as in the

drawnings 77/78/79/80/8I/82 . Screws can be as in D.I, D.4 , or with shape as a groove of D.36 . Screws can also have added (or obtained in them)heads,rings,grooves(D.29, T.4)r hooks that facilitate the handling and the utilization of the screws as at pression as also at traction. The nut screws can also have particular shapes in order to the handling and the utilization mariner and they can besides have shapes they permit to be inserted inside the armchair structure(D.33/34/35),and on the pivot(D.68)which in this case can have notches(D.7I)along which screws can move,

or on the arm chair structure( D.39/42/44/46/48/5I/53/57

59/60. The adjustment can be constituted by the little

bar inserted in holes obtained on the spring pivot(D.76/

77/78, T.4)or added in plates(D.82)on this pivot(D.8I)or

on the arm chair pivot (D. 79 ).

===== PIVOTS =====

Drawnings are on the tables 6/2I - 7/2I - 8/2I - 9/2I - I0/2I on which only some possible shape are.

==== LEGENDA ====

B of D.80 = shaped plates

A of D.86 = bar

B of D.86 = upright

A/B/C/D of D.90 = possibilities to join a pivot on an armchair structure

VI of D.83 = fixing screw of 82 on 83

Pivots can be solid or tubular and with whatever section

representing whatevere geometric shape. They can be constituted by spheres or hemispheres. Pivots can have particular shapes , along them and at their ends, can have( or have added )plates, crushing reliefs,hollows,diameter variation,holes, screwed or press-inserted parts, threadings,prolongations and screws or

nut -screws as obtained in,as added,flanges,for permitting to apply other

them on whatever part of the armchair and employ springs ,

adjustment,seats blocks(locks), speed variators of inclination of frames, or to apply all or some parts of them on the pivots .

Pivots can be fixed or turn. The pivots ends can be at cone,at frustum of cone,at hemisphere ,at sphere,concave, convex, cylindrical at whatever other geometric or not shape.Pivots can end with a point or a surface,as plane , as not.On the T.6(six)are drawn pivots having ends with particular shapes or plates,to apply them on the armchair or to link pivot parts. On the T.8 there are plates that,linked to the armchairs,permit to support some pivots. On D.95 , T.8 there is a pivαt PE joined to an armchair structure ST, and on the pivot there are two torsion springs adjusted for inclination and power by two screws. In the T.9 there are other manners to assembly pivots on iron structures of armchairs.

(D.80/8I/82/83/84/85). On the T.9 the drawnings 86 and 86 show two couples af bent arms among which a pivot can apply. The D. 90/9I/92/93/94 show possibilities to mount pivots on wood structure. Tehe D.89 shows a pivot with nut-screws and screws of adjustment. On T.I0 there are of side and on front some pivots ends with flanges press-obtained or added .

=====LOCK SYSTEMS POR STOPPING SEATS =====

Drawnings are on the tables(T.) no.Il/l2/l3/l4

===LEGENDA===

A = turning axis of LE

B = fixed point along which AS moves = besides possible support ponit of a spring between B and C,or between B and D

C = spring application point

P = Holes or grooves

V = possible tongue of LR

AL =housing slot in which EMB turns

AP =housing slot

AS =ovoid hole AS of T.I4 = bush or PO lodging

BR =arm joined with AL

CA =head wire

CD =nut

CP =locking mobile component having radial movement

CU =locking mobile component. IT'S besides slider

CV =steel cable

EMB=locking mobile component

ES = EMB head = also with function of weight as stored power RD = little bottom

RO = hole

FF = wire

FR = hole FZ = housing slot

SH = sheath

LC = limiting movement device

LE = lever

LR = spring shaped at LYRE

MM = thin plate spring

MO = spring

PC = part on which an EMB goes to engage

PE = Pivot

PI = inclined plane

PN = pivot support

PO = pivot for the turning αf the control PU,that is driven by the user's calf

PR and PR I=limiting movement relief of Pϋ

PR.2=eventual other shape of the limiting movement relief

PU = control PD of T.I4 =user'calf control,at U section

RA = tongues for fixing on other parts of the armchair

RET ss wire and sheath tension adjustment

SC = inclined plane

SE = sector between two loophole in which moves the EMB

SO = support

TC = EMB shaped as a frustum of cone

TE = frame of seat VA = variator linked to TE frame

The locking system can be realized by a control(D.l/2, T.II) which can be constituted by nibbes,pawis, levers, controls(D.2/

2b/2e ,T.II ) or by surfaces also rolling( for example D.I T.II) and can have obtained on( or added partes )holes also threated, lodgings for springs , for pivots,tie-rods,.levers,and can have linkings for springs,pivots, reliefs,for linking with whatever other part of the armchair,.included eventual transmissions

( ttbular, solid,flexible,rigid, operating for contact,for cam,and driving springs,prolongations,levers,tie-rods with axial,radial, mixed movement to drive locking mobile eomponents(forward called EMB )that can be constituted by little cylinders( CU D.3/4/5,

T.II and EMB D.36, T.I3 and EMB D.4I,. T.I4 )or bodies of other shape that moving in appropriated lodging, obtained on( or added) whatever part of the armchair(as example the seat) go to meet and/or to stop or to be retained against a surface(as example a surface of the armchair structure)constituting the engaging and the stopping of the seat on a desired position.The EMB can also have a radial movement( as example hinged or threated parts as PI of CP D.I2, T.I2) and its turning axis can have whatever orientation and the hinging can be also obtained utilizing a threading( as on D.I6, T.I2) that permits at the same time

the turning of the EMB and the screwingor unscrewing handling

CP,and also its adjustment and its placement in order to its engagement surface and then the run adjustment (that's the limited circle arc that seat can freely do to obtain a springing or rolling effect,also if it's confined in a sitting position); the same effect if,as an example,a cylindric EMB can enter two holes, one over the other,or when there is only an hole too large for the EMB, or if it's ovoid or it has equivalent shape. Limiting movement devices also are the LC of D.I5/20/2I/22/23/24/26/27. A LC can be also constituted by one hole ,a lodging,a tongue,whatever obstacle for regulating the seat movement.The EMB can move under the user's action or under the energy of an accumulator( springs,weights,elastometers,air and compressed gas). Lock-ing system can foresee control parts to avoid accidental releasing of the engage.As example when the user stand up without utilizing the apparatus,this remains under the spring power because of the limiting movement device is in function. In this case the little spring MO of D.2 that is lodged inside the push-bottomo,if this is casually

pushed,.press itself and so it annuls the mistake.This is because of the strong friction between EMB and its engaging,that's much stronger than the spring power. A control lever appropriately shaped and hinged( or linked) on the armchair can have a torsion, compression, traction or other type of spring to avoid accidental disengaging and can have,on a end,a EMB as CP of D.I2, T.I2 that engages the Y surface that's a seat part.EMB and its engaging can be inverted,relating to their position .

===== FRAMES ( telai ) =====

drawnings are on tables I5/2I - I6/2I - I7/2I

==== LEGENDA ====

A= pivot between the plane F and the support AD

C = canalization

C of D.60 = slider with a little wheel

D = slider of D.60

E = linking pivot

F = lodging = F of D.60 is a frame

G = base of supports BC and AD

H = shaped as letter H section wheel

I = shape of a section fox little wheel running in the loophole L = covering fixing part

L of D.60 = section of a little wheel hinged at the point D if G has a round section.

M = reliefs and hollows for fixing the covering and these

reliefs are obtained in the frame or seat

N = point between which and C point can be interposed a

compression spring

R = coverings

AD = support device of the frame P (SEAT PLAIN )applied as

scissors and hinged with BC

AL = solid or tubular structure of frames,realized on various sections or shapes of structural steel,at reticular relief, cellular,with internal or external canalizations,.with inserts,reliefs,tongues.

AM D.4I = lodgings

BC = devices of the frame support F( plain) applied as scissors and hinged with BC

BR = sliders,arms,supports

CA = canalization of D.50, represented on section

EA = part of a support between E and D EC = part of support between E and C

FA = tongues of fixing devices

FC = cylindrical holes(also obtained in plastic substance)

FF = fixing screws

FL = longitudinal loophole of the frame or plane F

LO = lodgings of D.2/3/6/23/46

MA = nut screws

RI = structures of stuffening ribs

The frame,the hemiframe,the bearings seats(forw-ard all

generically called frames )for ergonomic armchairs can have

( also to have added) inserts,reliefs,tongues(AL of D.I/2/3/5

6/I6/I8/20/27/28/29/30 and from D.32 to D.40 of T.I5/I6)can

have hollows,holes( also threated ), sleevs,rings,tube frustum,, generically lodges,nut screws,teeth,pivots,and generically reliefs. All above described(also with the utilizationof other parts) with the function for the strengthening,adjustment,linking, hinging,position included coverings,inclination seat or powex spring adjustment, sliders,arms, support also hinged as BR of T.I6, springs(as example,helical spring ends inserted in the lodgings of the D.2/3/6/23/43 and AM of D.4I, T.I5/I6/I7)or solded

(D.59, T.I7)in the same position of the lodgings of the D.23,T.I6 to the frame of the D.22 T.I6 ; or inserted in the holes FP of the D.22/43 , T.I6/I7 rand pivots or lodgings for pivots.The drawnings from D..45 to D.58 , T.I7 constitute systems to assembly of coverings R on frames M by fixing devices L(pressed or

extruted with various sections or shapes able to better the adhesion at the frame and its bendings. Drawnings 5/7/8/9/I0

II/I4/I6/24 of T. I5/I6 show pivots and lodgings for pivots added at the frame an D.4/I2/I3/I4/I5/25/26/29/3I/42/42 of T.

I5/I6/I7 show lodgings and pivots obtained in the frame . All the described frames can have oiling holes. The structure of strengthening of the RI D.4I , T.I7 can have holes or canalizations of lighten and lodgings AM (also inserted) . The drawning 60 , T.I7 is a frame in which devices AD and BO are hinged in E.

the seat P is hinged in A and on the other side is supported by the slider shaped like a little wheel C( or of a relief or sleigh) . If the slider section has shape of H can run on the lower edge of the frame. If this is a structural steel at

shape of C or U,the slider can run inside it through the open open side. If the slider has the section I it can run along a longitudinal loophole af the frame (FL) . the slider D runs on the base G which can be like F. The slider has section of letter L if the base has an around section.Under the power of a traction spring,placed between B and D,this points approach,and A and C rise with an increase of the inclination of P.The same thing happens if traction springs are placed between A and C or if compression springs are placed between D and M, or between C and N. So if the pivots E or A or B( also togheter) drive ends of torsion helical springs .The spring can be also linked in other points.

The apparatus of D.60 can be single or linked by bars to other similar appartus.Everywhere in the frames can be obtained (or added) as pivots as lodgings or hooks for pivots or springs.

===== SPEED INCLINATION VARIATOR =====

Drawnings are on the tables T.I8/I9/20/2I

==== LEGENDA ====

D. of D.4I = right side

P = power point application

DL = teeth

E I = external left end

E 2 = external right end

E 3 = internal left end

E 4 = internal right end

AL = lodging AS = ovoidal hole

BO = bush

BR = arm

CS = slider

CU = slider PC = movement limiter

FE = loophole

FE=GU = loophole=drive

FO = hole

GU = spring drive, joined with the frame TE

GU-A = drive and containment

LE = tongues of FE=GU of D.I6

LI = Movement limiter = hook obtained ad the spring end,with

the limiter function

LL = lodging

MO = spring

MO I ss right spring

PE = pivot

PS = plate bearing the loophole FE=GU and the ovoidal hole AS RE = resistence joined with the frame TE

RI = element to check the movement of TE on the vertical plane

SE = sector between two loophole

SO = support

SU = inclined plane or point of the sector

TI = little frame joined with the springs, on which a normal

frame can be joined

TE = seat frame

TT = tongues

The speed variator of inclination is an apparatus having particular shape, some of which shown on T.I8/I9/20/2I. The variator permits to lower speedly the seat,disengaging it from the springs ends or vice-versa(D.I ,T.I8).Previous that in this part of the description RE is referred at one resistance joined, togheter with P (power or change constituted by the

seat) and with RI(which controls the turning of TE compared with the spring end) at the frame TE,and previous that springs ends have to be considered ad inclined towards the high(as in

D.27 ,T.I8 ) we have that pulling at right the charge F,this can disengages itself from MO and can freely turns down with TE and so with the seat . On the drawnings,from I to I4 ,are shown some possible shaped devices to add on the frame or obtain on the frame with the same function. On the D.I5 is shown that cylinders F are joined with the frame,pulling the frame along the arrow the cylinders run on the MO wich are divergent and so approach between them provoking a them axial movement along the frame PEand then the ends E I and E 2 go away from the point (not shown) as the resistance and MO can freely turn around PE. The part PC, shown on the D.I5/I6,as the function af drivt and of limiter of the movement of TE during the disengaging of springs ends E I and E 2. The other drawnings of T.I8/I9 shown other possible shapes of the speed variator-. In particular,on the D.37 there is a shaped palte(added on the inferior surface of the frame TE near the pivot PE) that has a loophole shaped as an updown U (PE=GU) in which can run the slider CS of PE . With a movement drived by loophole it's possible to disengage the external springs ends from the resistance opposite to their turning. In this case,internal springs ends are joined with TE (at the same manner they are joined with TI ,D.I7,T.I8 ).

SV of D.37 are inclined planes that facilitate the movement of CS in the loophole. The D.40,T-2I shows a speed variator VA updown in comparison with VA of D.37 an on the bottom of the loophole there is an inclined plane SC on which the slider CU (D.38/39/4I of T.20/2I , and D.4I of T.I4) slides raising itself vertically. Shaped as a strong nail CU(when the user sits down) exceed SC ,falls in the hole FO and stopos the seat in sitting position. Drived by the user's calf,the push bottom PU pushs the slider CU out from PO and springs can free their power .

Claims

===== CLAIMS =====

I) Helical spring mounted on pivots of hinged,highly inclinable seats of ergonomic, sprung,armchairs and characterized by the fact to have an end linked to the seat( T. I/2/5/I5/I6/I7 ) and the other that meets a resistance that engages it and forces it at a

fedormation for storing up potential energy during the sitting stage anf for giving back on the standing up stage

2) Helical spring mounted on pivots of hinged,highly inclinable seats of ergonomic armchair and characterized by its utilization with the function of the hinge that turns around a pivot

( D.66,T.I ; all drawnings of T.3 ; D.4I,T.I4 ; all drawnings of T.I5/I6 ; and D.60 , T.I7 ).

3) helical spring mounted on pivots of hinged,highly inclinable seats of ergonomic sprung armchairs and characterized by its utilization being solded to the seat frame(D.66 , T.I )

4) Spring power and/or seat inclination regulator of highly

inclinable, sprung, seats,backrests,legrests of ergonomic armchairs and characterized by the fact to be constituted of a screw and a nut screw that screwing reciprocally give the adjustment .

(Drawnings from I to 75 ; from 83 to 89 ;on tables 4/5 )

5) Spring power and or/inclination regulator of hinged,.highly inclinable sprung seats of sprung ergonomic armchairs characterized by the fact to be constituted of a bar that inserted in a chosen one of a series of holes( obtained on/or added on a part of the armchair)anticipates or retards the spring engaging( D.76/77/7879/80/8I/82 , T.4 .)

6) Pivots around which turn sprung hinged,highly inclinable seats of ergonomic armchairs characterized by the fact to have the surface ends that lies on a plane( D.l/2/5/6/7/8/9/I0/lI

I3/I4/I5/I6/26/28/30/3I/32/33/38/39/44/80/8I/84/89/90 B/9I/94

7) Pivots around which turn sprung,hinged,highly inclinable seats of ergonomic armchairs characterized by the fact that have the surface ends that does'nt lie on a plane.

8) engaging(locking) or disengaging apparatus for hinged sprung, highly inclinable seats of ergonomic armchairs in and from the sitting position and characterize by the fact that is constituted by a control that moves a locking mobile components that engages the seat with other part of the armchairs( Tables II/I2/I3/I4 ) 9) Frames,hemiframes,bearing seats,hinged,highly inclinable for ergonomic armchairs utilizing only the spring potential energy and characteried by the fact that they can have an ample angular turning around an axis without this moves,in the same

moment on the vertical plane.

I0) Frames;hemiframes,bearing seats,hinged,highly inclinable for ergonomic armchairs utilizing only the spring potential energy and characterized by the fact that they can have an ample

angular turning around an axis that,in the same moment,moves on the vertical plane.( D.60 , T.I7 )

II) Speed inclination variator for hinged,highly inclinable, sprung seats of ergonomic armchairs,caracterized by the fact that permits the speed engaging or disengaging of the power and/or the resistance application points to the springs.

( drawnings of T. I8/I9/20/2I )

I2) The control parts to avoid accidental releasing of the lock engage characterized by the interposition, between the control and the EMB, of springs, elastomers,weights,compressed gas , eccentrics .