EP1157639A2

EP1157639A2 - Knockdown frame for chairs

Info

Publication number: EP1157639A2
Application number: EP01112219A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giacomo Bernardi
Original assignee: MF Metal Forniture SRL
Current assignee: MF Metal Forniture SRL
Priority date: 2000-05-26
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Also published as: IT1317694B1; EP1157639A3; ITUD20000107A1

Abstract

Knockdown frame (10) for chairs (15) provided with at least a seat part (13) and a backrest (14), comprising at least a first component (11), able to rest on the floor and support the seat part (13), and at least a second component (12) able to support the backrest (14), the second component (12) including, in a single piece, first means (26a and 40a) to associate with the first component (11) and second means (26b and 40b) to support and associate with the backrest (14), the first means (26a and 40a) cooperating with the first component (11) for a substantial segment of its depth and being constrained thereto at least in correspondence with its front half.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a knockdown frame for chairs, preferentially but not exclusively of the metal type, able to assume a first assembled condition, wherein it is able to be associated with a seat part and possibly a backrest to define the chair, and a second dis-assembled condition for storage and/or transport.
In the following description, the term chair should be taken to mean any type of seating arrangement and therefore, although only the specific case of a frame for chairs is shown, the invention must not be limited to this, but is extended to frames for armchairs, stools, benches and similar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various types of frames for chairs known to the state of the art, to which the seat part and possibly the backrest of the chair are associated; they differ in structure, materials used and conformation.
Among these conventional frames there are the knockdown frames consisting of a plurality of components, generally supplied separately by the producer, able to be associated together when the chair is assembled.
The problems which knockdown frames generally have are: high production costs, difficulties in assembly/dis-assembly, the high number of attachment elements to be used and above all the frames' lack of resistance to mechanical stress when the chair is in its assembled condition.
On the contrary, they do have the advantage that they allow an at least partial reduction in the bulk of the packaging, with consequent advantages in storing, moving and transporting the chairs.
Among the different types of knockdown frames, those made of metal have shown considerable problems in stability, solidity and resistance to stress when they are in their assembled condition, when the chair is in use.
In fact, considering the high number of components of which they consist, it is necessary to use a high number of attachment elements which, however, do not allow to obtain adequate rigidity of the frame.
Moreover, in metal frames, the coupling cannot exploit, as in wood or plastic, a partial yielding of the material, and hence do not on their own guarantee resistance to the stresses caused by the chair being used.
For this reason, metal knockdown frames as proposed until now have not proved very satisfactory for businessmen in this field and for users, as their requirements have only been partly satisfied.
The present Applicant has devised and embodied this invention to overcome these shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain further advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.
The purpose of the invention is to achieve a knockdown frame consisting of a limited number of components, which is practical and quick to assemble, using a limited number of attachment elements.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a knockdown frame, advantageously but not exclusively made of metal, which is aesthetically valid, and functionally stable and resistant to mechanical stresses in its assembled condition.
The knockdown frame for chairs according to the invention is preferentially made of metal and substantially comprises two components which can be associated with each other, for example by means of screw elements or similar: a first component, able to rest on the floor and to support the seat part of the chair, and a second component able to support the backrest of the chair.
According to one characteristic of the invention, the second component includes in a single piece first association means to associate with the first component and second means to support and associate with the backrest; the first means cooperate overlapping with the first component for a substantial segment of its depth and are constrained thereto at least in correspondence with its front half.
The first means integrally include coupling elements by means of which they are able to be attached to the first component.
In one embodiment, the first means have at least a pair of the coupling elements able to be attached respectively in correspondence with the front half and the rear half of the first component.
According to a variant, the first means are able to be terminally inserted into a cavity made in the front half of the first component and comprise at least a coupling element able to be attached in correspondence with the rear half of the first component.
In one embodiment, the first means also integrally comprise support and/or attachment elements for the seat part of the chair.
In a preferential embodiment, the second component develops substantially at a right angle, or L, and its first and second means are defined by a single shaped profile and extend respectively in a horizontal and vertical direction.
The first component of the frame according to the invention defines at least a pair of legs for the chair.
In a first embodiment it defines both the front legs and the rear legs of the chair.
According to a variant, it defines the rear legs of the chair and includes insertion and attachment elements for the front legs.
Since the knockdown frame according to the invention consists of only two components, it can be assembled quickly and easily with an extremely limited number of attachment elements.
The fact that these components cooperate for a substantial segment of their depth and that they are constrained at least in the front half of the frame confers considerable solidity and stability on the frame in its assembled condition.
Therefore, with no danger of the coupling coming loose, the frame is suitable to support the mechanical stresses due to the continuous use of the chair where the frame is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of two preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a knockdown frame according to the invention in a first embodiment;
Fig. 2shows the knockdown frame in Fig. 1 in its dis-assembled condition;
Fig. 3is a back view of the knockdown frame in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4is the view from above of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is the side view of a knockdown frame according to the invention in a variant;
Fig. 6 is the knockdown frame in Fig. 5 in its dis-assembled condition;
Fig. 7is a back view of the knockdown frame in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is the view from above of Fig. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TWO PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the attached Figures, a knockdown frame 10 for chairs 15 according to the invention is shown in two different embodiments.
It is preferably made of metal and substantially comprises a first component 11, to rest on the floor and to support the seat part 13 of the chair 15, and a second component 12 able to support at least the backrest 14 of the chair 15.
In a first embodiment, shown in Figs. 1-4, the first component 11 comprises two arched profiles 16, substantially parallel, associated at the front part with a cross-piece 17 and descending behind to define the rear legs of the chair 15.
At an intermediate point, the two arched profiles 16 are connected by a transverse bracket 18 to which a plate 19 is welded, with its upper surface substantially aligned with the upper surface of the cross-piece 17 in order to define the points where the seat part 13 is supported.
According to a variant, the arched profiles 16 are connected by two or more transverse brackets 18.
The cross-piece 17 and the plate 19 are provided with respective pairs of holes, 21 and 22, inside which the attachment elements of the seat part 13 are able to be inserted.
At its ends, the cross-piece 17 is associated with two internally threaded bushings 23, inside which the front legs 24 of the chair 15 are able to be inserted and attached by means of respective screw elements 25.
In a central position on its rear side, the cross-piece 17 also has a hole 20 into which the second component 12 of the frame 10 is inserted.
The second component 12 comprises a tubular element 26 which develops substantially at a right angle, defining a horizontal lower segment 26a and a vertical upper segment 26b.
The lower segment 26a is solidly associated with two blades, front 27 and rear 28, able to rest respectively on the lower surface of the seat part 13 and the plate 19.
Each of the blades 27, 28 is provided with its own holes 29 inside which the attachment elements of the seat part 13 are able to be inserted; the holes 29 of the rear blade 28 are able to be aligned with the holes 22 of the plate 19.
The end of the lower segment 26a is able to be inserted inside the hole 20 made on the cross-piece 17.
The upper segment 26b is associated at its end with a plate 30 to which the backrest 14 is able to be attached by means of attachment elements which can be inserted into three holes 31 made on the plate 30.
It is very easy and quick to assemble the frame 10. In fact, it is sufficient to insert the end of the lower segment 26a of the second component 12 into the hole 20 of the cross-piece 17 and rest the rear blade 28 below the plate 19, aligning the respective holes 29 and 22.
By inserting the relative attachment elements into the latter, the seat part 13 is associated; it is attached first in correspondence with the plate 19 and then in correspondence with the front blade 27 and the cross-piece 17.
The assembly of the chair 15 is completed by associating the backrest 14 with the plate 30.
According to a variant, the only function of the rear blade 28 is to attach the seat part 13; in this case specific means are provided to couple the second component 12 and the plate 19.
According to another variant, the only function of the rear blade 28 is as a coupling element between the second component 12 and the plate 19.
According to yet another variant, the front blade 27 is absent and the second component 12 is attached to the seat part 13 by means of the rear blade 28 alone.
According to a further variant, the lower segment 26a is associated at the front part with a plate able to be attached to the cross-piece 17.
In an embodiment which is not shown here, the frame 10 has two or more second components 12, comprising the same number of tubular elements 26 arranged substantially parallel.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5-8, the first component 11 comprises a shaped round piece defining in a single piece two portal elements, front 32 and rear 33, connected below by base segments 34 able to rest on the floor.
In this case, the rear portal element 33 has at the upper part a lowered part 33 and is provided with a transverse bar 35 to give structural rigidity.
The two portal elements 32 and 33 are connected at the upper part by a longitudinal blade 36 provided with two holes 37 in proximity with its ends.
The second component 12 comprises a shaped round piece, defining in a single piece two L-shaped elements 40, parallel and lying on respective vertical planes, joined at the center by an arch 39.
Each L-shaped element 40 comprises a lower segment 40a and an upper segment 40b.
The lower segments 40a of the L-shaped elements 40, the function of which, together with the portals 32, 33, is to support the seat part 13, are joined together by two fins, front 41 and rear 42, each equipped with a central hole 43 and two lateral holes 44 (Fig. 8).
The fins 41 and 42 are able to rest on the longitudinal blade 36 ad the central holes 43 are able to align with the holes 37.
The upper segments 40b and the arch 39 are able to support the backrest 14 of the chair 15 which can be attached thereon by means of any conventional system.
In this case too, it is very simple to assemble the frame 10; the second component 12 is positioned above the first component 11, making the fins 41, 42 rest on the longitudinal blade 36 and aligning the holes 37, 43.
In this condition the two L-shaped elements 40 abut against the front portal 32 and rest on the rear portal 33 in correspondence with the lowered part 38.
After supporting the seat part 13 on the portals 32, 33 and on the two lower segments 40a of the L-shaped elements 40, suitable attachment elements are inserted into the aligned holes 37, 43, so that the two components 11 and 12 are simultaneously associated and the seat part 13 is assembled on the frame 10. Other attachment elements for the seat part 13 are inserted into the lateral holes 44 of the fins 42.
According to a variant, the only function of the attachment elements inserted into the holes 37, 43 is to associate the two components 11, 12 of the frame 10.
It is clear however that modifications and/or additions can be made to the knockdown frame 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example the lower segment 26a of the tubular element 26 can be associated with two or more blades 27, 28 able to anchor directly on the seat part 13.
Or instead of the hole 20 made on the cross-piece 17, the latter can be provided with a pin element on which the tubular element 26 engages.
Moreover, the tubular element 26 and the relative hole 20 can be of any section and shape whatsoever other than those shown here, such as for example square, elliptic, polygonal, etc.
In the same way, all the profiles of the components of the frame 10 can be of any section.
It is also clear that, although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of knockdown frame, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the invention.

Claims

Knockdown frame for chairs (15) provided with at least a seat part (13) and a backrest (14), said frame comprising at least a first component (11), able to rest on the floor and support said seat part (13), and at least a second component (12) able to support said backrest (14), the frame being characterized in that said second component (12) includes, in a single piece, first means (26a and 40a) to associate with said first component (11) and second means (26b and 40b) to support and associate with said backrest (14), said first means (26a and 40a) cooperating with said first component (11) for a substantial segment of its depth and being constrained thereto at least in correspondence with its front half.
Knockdown frame as in Claim 1, characterized in that said first means (26a, 40a) integrally include coupling elements (28, 41, 42) by means of which they are able to be attached to said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in Claim 2, characterized in that said first means (40a) include at least a pair of said coupling elements (41, 42) able to be attached respectively in correspondence with the front half and the rear half of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first means (26a) are able to be terminally inserted into a cavity (20) made in the front half of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in any claim from 1 to 3 inclusive, characterized in that said first means (26a) are able to engage on mating pin means made in the front half of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said cavity (20) or said pin means are made on a transverse profile (17) of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first means (26a) terminally comprise at least a plate element by means of which they are able to be attached in the front half of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in any claim from 2 to 7 inclusive, characterized in that said first means (26a) comprise at least one of said coupling elements (28) able to be attached in correspondence with the rear half of said first component (11).
Knockdown frame as in any claim from 2 to 8 inclusive, characterized in that said first component (11) comprises plate or blade elements (19, 36) on which said coupling elements (28, 41, 42) are able to rest and be attached.
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first means (26a, 40a) integrally comprise supporting and/or attachment elements (27, 28, 41, 42) for said seat part (13).
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said second component (12) develops substantially at a right angle and in that said first means (26a, 40a) extend substantially in a horizontal direction and said second means (26b, 40b) extend substantially in a vertical direction.
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first means (26a, 40a) and said second means (26b, 40b) are defined by a single shaped profile, such as a tube, a round piece or similar.
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said second means (26b) are associated with a supporting and attachment element (30) for said backrest (14).
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first component (11) defines at least the rear legs of the chair (15).
Knockdown frame as in Claim 14, characterized in that said first component (11) comprises two arched profiles (16) associated at the front part with a transverse element (17) and descending behind to define said rear legs.
Knockdown frame as in Claim 15, characterized in that said seat part (13) is able to rest on and be attached to said transverse element (17).
Knockdown frame as in Claim 15, characterized in that said arched profiles (16) are connected by at least a transverse bracket (18) associated with an element to support and attach said seat part (13).
Knockdown frame as in any claim from 14 to 17 inclusive, characterized in that said first component (11) comprises insertion and attachment elements (23) for the front legs (24) of the chair (15).
Knockdown frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first component (11) comprises a shaped profile defining in a single piece two portal elements, front (32) and rear (33), connected by base segments (34) able to rest on the floor and defining the legs of the chair (15).
Knockdown frame as in Claim 19, characterized in that said portal elements (32, 33) are connected at the upper part by at least a longitudinal element (36) on which said second component (12) is able to rest and be attached.