EP1197168B1 - Mounting for a seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The mounting for a seat (3) comprises an elastomeric spring (4) with a central bore (45) which fits over the top of the support column (2). The spring is contained in a housing (5) which is connected to the seat or an integral part of it.

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to a storage for a seat, in particular a chair, but is also for stools, individual seats on a bench or fixed seats in means of transport or e.g. suitable for stadiums or parks. Specifically, the invention is concerned with a seat bearing that allows a cushioned in all directions or in defined directions pendulum movement of the seat. Such seating follows the posture of the user and convey on the cushioning of the seat cushion addition, a more vibrating, freer seat.

State of the art

Seats for seats are known in a variety of construction. Especially for working chairs, the height adjustability and the cushioning of the backrest form the standard today (see, for example, WO 98/16140). Many chairs are equipped with a synchronized mechanism, whereby a movement of the backrest follows a simultaneous, synchronous movement of the seat. The height adjustment is usually effected by a gas spring, while coil springs, gas springs, torsion bars or combinations thereof are used for the synchronizing mechanisms (for example US 5,417,473, EP 0 839 478 A1, WO 00/22961). From WO 90/14031 a mechanism is known, where the seat support is seated on a ball joint, so that the seat can be rotated and tilted. By means of a lock, the set rotational position and inclination can be locked. To cushion the forward seat movement, one also uses rubber bodies which are pressed together with increasing load on the front edge of the seat between a fixed frame part and the movable seat support (see, for example, US 3,863,982, US 4,890,886).

The chair mechanisms which are relevant for the present invention allow a pendulum motion of the seat which is spring-loaded in all directions. Such chairs, stools, etc. tend toward the user's body inclination and / or center of gravity displacement, and expand the freedom of movement over the cushion the seat cushion, so that a pendulum seat feeling arises. For this purpose, the center column of the seat was split horizontally and a radially encircling rubber ring was inserted (see CH 685 848, DE 43 01 734 A1) or a flat rubber pad was arranged between the split center column (see CH 678 388; US Pat. No. 5,024,485). These constructions either give hardly the desired pendulum effect or the user feels a certain instability or in the deflection immediately a harder perceptible limitation of the desired mobility itself.

FR 2 514 303 discloses an apparatus for vibration absorption in mechanical engineering, in particular engine mounting, in order to reduce vibrations on the frame. For this purpose, an attenuator with an inserted, quasi-insulating elastomer layer is arranged between the vibration source and the frame side. Apart from the fact that this attenuator from a completely different field, a fundamentally different task - compared to the storage of a seat -, such an attenuator for the storage of a pendulum seat is not suitable.

From DE 754 407 a arranged on the base seat bearing with a lower enclosure body is known, which encloses a rubber core. The flange-like outer edge of the enclosure body is mounted on the underside of the seat base.

Another seat bearing includes WO 00/24296 A1.

Both seats leave little opportunity to use the storage for different chair designs.

Object of the invention

In view of the still imperfectly effective bearings for a seat with oscillating freedom of movement, the present invention has for its object to propose such, improved in the effect and in the life storage. Here it is also important to manufacture the storage as a standard item efficiently and to be able to install in different seats.

Overview of the invention

The storage for a seat that rests on a base, has a arranged on the base spring element. The spring element is positioned in a surround body and allows the resilient movement of the surround body in the horizontal plane. The enclosure body is connected to or forms part of the seat. The spring element is located at the top of an axial column of the undercarriage, namely on an extendable, axially effective spring, in the form of a gas spring, located at the top on an axially extendable from this gas spring linkage. The spring element has an elastic outer sheath, e.g. a rubber body, wherein the spring element and the surrounding body have an axial passage. The spring element consists of an inner, preferably metallic core and the elastic outer jacket arranged thereon. The core has an opening, preferably an axial passage, for receiving the column. The enclosure body has a lower, cup-shaped part in which the spring element is seated. The radial, outer circumference of the outer shell of the spring element has a substantially cylindrical shape with upper and lower reduction in diameter.

The following features represent advantageous embodiments of the invention: The spring element is clamped at the top of an upper mold half. The upper mold half is connected to the enclosure body. The seat is attached to the upper half of the mold. The core is firmly connected to the outer shell.

In the upper mold half coaxial with the gas spring forming center column a breakthrough for actuating a trigger plunger of the gas spring is present. The axial passage narrows conically. The breakthrough in the upper mold half has a defined geometry, such as a slot on. The internal core of the spring element has an extension which projects into the opening and is guided therein, whereby the mobility of the seat is limited.

The particular advantages of the storage according to the invention result from the fulfillment of the above task, i. the achieved functional and economic improvements for the user as well as the constructional and economical effects for the manufacturer.

Brief description of the attached drawings

Figur 1:

einen herkömmlichen Stuhl in Frontansicht;

Figur 2A:

die Ansicht gemäss Figur 1 mit schematisch dargestellter Beweglichkeit des Sitzes;

Figur 2B:

die Draufsicht auf den Stuhl gemäss Figur 2A als Bewegungsschema;

Figur 3:

die erfindungsgemässe Sitzlagerung in einer ersten Ausführungsform mit einem Federelement in einer ersten Variante, im Stuhl gemäss Figur 1, in Explosivansicht;

Figur 4A:

die Sitzlagerung erster Ausführungsform mit dem Federelement der ersten Variante gemäss Figur 3, im montierten Zustand, in Ruhestellung, als Teilschnitt;

Figur 4B:

die Anordnung gemäss Figur 4A in maximaler seitlicher Neigung;

Figur 5A:

die Sitzlagerung in der ersten Ausführungsform gemäss Figur 4A mit einem Federelement in einer zweiten Variante mit Neigungsbegrenzung, in Ruhestellung, als Teilschnitt;

Figur 5B:

die Anordnung gemäss Figur 5A in maximaler seitlicher Neigung;

Figur 6A:

das Federelement der ersten Variante aus der Sitzlagerung gemäss den Figuren 4A und 4B, im Vertikalschnitt;

Figur 6B:

das Federelement der zweiten Variante aus der Sitzlagerung gemäss den Figuren 5A und 5B, im Vertikalschnitt;

Figur 7A:

einen weiteren herkömmlichen Stuhl, in Seitenansicht;

Figur 7B:

den Stuhl gemäss Figur 7A, in Frontansicht;

Figur 8:

die erfindungsgemässe Sitzlagerung in einer zweiten Ausführungsform, mit dem Federelement der ersten Variante, im Stuhl gemäss Figur 7A, in Explosivansicht;

Figur 9A:

die Anordnung gemäss Figur 8 im montierten Zustand, in Ruhestellung, als Teilschnitt; und

Figur 9B:

die erfindungsgemässe Sitzlagerung in der zweiten Ausführungsform, mit dem Federelement der zweiten Variante, in der Anordnung gemäss Figur 9A, mit Neigungsbegrenzung, in Ruhestellung, als Teilschnitt.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a conventional chair in front view;

FIG. 2A

the view according to Figure 1 with schematically illustrated mobility of the seat;

FIG. 2B:

the top view of the chair according to Figure 2A as a movement scheme;

FIG. 3:

the inventive seat bearing in a first embodiment with a spring element in a first variant , in the chair according to Figure 1, in an exploded view;

FIG. 4A

the seat bearing first embodiment with the spring element of the first variant according to Figure 3, in the mounted state, in the rest position, as a partial section;

FIG. 4B:

the arrangement according to Figure 4A in maximum lateral inclination;

FIG. 5A

the seat bearing in the first embodiment according to Figure 4A with a spring element in a second variant with inclination limitation, in rest position, as a partial section;

FIG. 5B:

the arrangement according to Figure 5A in maximum lateral inclination;

FIG. 6A:

the spring element of the first variant of the seat bearing according to Figures 4A and 4B, in vertical section;

FIG. 6B:

the spring element of the second variant of the seat bearing according to Figures 5A and 5B, in vertical section;

FIG. 7A:

another conventional chair, in side view;

FIG. 7B:

the chair according to Figure 7A, in front view;

FIG. 8:

the inventive seat bearing in a second embodiment , with the spring element of the first variant , in the chair according to Figure 7A, in an exploded view;

FIG. 9A:

the arrangement according to Figure 8 in the mounted state, at rest, as a partial section; and

FIG. 9B:

the inventive seat bearing in the second embodiment , with the spring element of the second variant , in the arrangement according to Figure 9A, with tilt limitation, in rest position, as a partial section.

embodiments

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the detailed description of several embodiments of the inventive seat bearing takes place below.

FIG. 1

The chair consists of a base 1, here a conventional Stemenfuss, of which extends centrally a center column 2 in the height. The center column 2 may be an invariable support or an axially acting spring, eg a coil spring, a gas spring or a spring combination thereof contain. On the center column 2 of the seat 3 - here in the form of a seat - placed, in which the user finds space. The seat could also be designed as an approximately angular structure or as a plate on a stool.

FIGS. 2A and 2B

Here, the purpose of the invention is shown schematically, namely to provide a storage for a seat, including a chair, whose seat allows a pendulum movement in the horizontal plane, from a rest position 0 , in all directions R1 to RX , wherein the maximum movement of the rest position 0 is defined with the inclination angle α. For certain applications, the possible directions R1 to RX - eg only laterally or from front to back - constructive determine, as will be described later.

FIG. 3

Present are the base 1, the center column 2 - typically a gas spring - and a cup-shaped seat. 3 Also visible is a tubular gas spring cover 20 and a cylindrical ram extension 21 . To operate the gas spring 2 includes a mounted under the seat 3 release lever 22. The storage in a first embodiment consists of a spring element 4 in its first variant , a lower, pot-like enclosure body 5 and an upper mold part 6, here in the form of a cover plate, the is intended for fixing on the top of the bottom of the seat 3 . Finally, a top pad 6 covering the seat cushion plate 30 is provided. The spring element 4 is in a rough principle cylindrical with up and down in diameter reduced parts 40,41, a central part 42, an outer shell 43, a core 44 and an axial passage 45, the latter passing through the core 44 .

FIG. 4A

When storing the first embodiment , in the installed state, the spring element 4 first variant on the lower portion 41 and the central portion 42 is in principle positively received by the cup portion 50 of the enclosure body 5 . The upper portion 40 is in principle form-fitting of the complementary contoured, lower side collar 60 of the upper mold part 6 enclosed. The spring element 4 is inserted with its axial passage 45 on the upper conically ending gas spring 2 , on the trip rod 23 axially the ram extension 21 is placed, which protrudes from the axial passage 45 upwards, so that the release lever 22 is thereon. In the plate-shaped mold part 6 , a recess 61 is present in the vicinity of the exiting ram extension 21 , which grants free space for pendulum movement in all directions R1 to RX . The encircling body 5 has over the pot portion 50 an outwardly facing horizontal flange 51 , on which rests on the mold collar 60 projecting annular flange 62 of the molding 6 and extends even further outwards with its outer edge 63 . The mold collar 60 protrudes into the cup part 50 . Flange 51 and resting thereon ring flange 62 are connected to each other, for example screwed. The outer edge 63 is connected to the cup-shaped seat 3 , for example, also screwed. The seat shell 3 grasps the spring element 4 clamped between the surrounding body 5 and the upper molded part 6 .

FIG. 4B

In a deflection of the seat 3 from the rest position 0 to the maximum possible angle of inclination α, the elastic outer jacket 43 of the spring element 4 is temporarily deformed in its clamping, with development of an increasing spring resistance. The deflection is done by force, namely weight transfer, the user.

FIGS. 5A and 5B

In the storage of the first embodiment , a spring element 4 is used in a second variant , in deviation to the previous pair of figures 4A and 4B. Here, the core 44 is extended axially as a core extension 440 upwards and thus projects into the recess 61 . At a deflection of the seat 3 from the rest position 0 beats at the maximum possible inclination angle α of the core extension 440 against the edge of the recess 61. With the geometric shape of the recess 61, in conjunction with the dimension of the core extension 440, the maximum possible angle of inclination define α or movement directions can be determined, eg only to the side or only from front to back. This can be achieved with a corresponding slot-shaped recess 61 . Other patterns of movement in a cross or diagonal form could also be formed in such a way.

Figures 6A and 6B

Complementary to the conical top centering column 2 - usually the gas spring - the axial passage 45 of the spring element 4 is also conical. In order to optimize the movement characteristic, it has proven to be advantageous to expand the core 44 in the spring element 4 in the region of the middle section 42 as a radial bead 441 . Thus, at higher deflection from the rest position 0 material of the elastic outer jacket 43 are supported on the radial bead 441 and develop a higher spring resistance. In the case of the spring element 4 of the first variant (according to FIG. 6A), the core 44 ends with the upper part 40 of the outer jacket 43.

A spring element 4 of the second variant (according to FIG. 6B) with a core extension 440 is provided if one wishes to achieve a limitation of the pendulum movement of the seat 3 up to a maximum permissible angle of inclination α or according to a specific movement pattern. The elastic outer shell 43 could, for example, consist of a specially suitable rubber compound, while the core 44 is preferably metallic.

FIGS. 7A to 9B

Here, the inventive seat bearing is shown in a second embodiment . In this chair again a base 1 , a center column 2 - preferably a gas spring -, a seat 3, the spring element 4, the lower enclosure body 5 ' and an upper mold part 6' are provided. The special feature here is that the upper mold part 6 'is not formed by a separate plate, but by a correspondingly contoured recess 60' in the seat support 6 ' . The recess 60 ' encloses the upper portion 40 of the spring element 4 equivalent to the mold collar 60th In the seat support 6 ' is again the recess 61' is provided. The enclosure body 5 ' is with its upper Edge inserted into the recess 60 ' , is surrounded by the seat support 6' and is almost encapsulated with this, almost the spring element 4 . The recess 61 ' grants the freedom of movement as a deflection from the rest position 0.

When using a spring element 4 of the first variant (according to Figure 6A), as it has the arrangement in Figure 9A, the mobility of resting on the center column 2 seat 3 is virtually unlimited. If a spring element 4 of the second variant (according to FIG. 6B) is inserted with the core extension 440 , as the arrangement in FIG. 9B shows, the previously described limitation of the movement can be achieved (compare FIGS. 5A and 5B).

Claims (5)

1. A mounting for a seat (3) which rests on an underframe (1), having a spring element (4) arranged on the underframe (1);

   a) the spring element (4) is positioned in a casing (5,5';6,6') and allows the latter to move elastically in the horizontal plane;

   b) the casing (5,5';6,6') is connected to the seat (3) or forms a part thereof;

   c) the spring element (4) is arranged at the top of an axial column (2) of the underframe (1), namely on an extensible, axially acting spring (2) in the form of a pneumatic spring (2), at the top of a push rod axially extensible out of this pneumatic spring (2);

   d) the spring element (4) has an elastic outer sleeve (43), which especially is a rubber body;

   e) the spring element (4) and the casing (5,5';6,6') have an axial through-passage (45;61,61');

   f) the spring element (4) comprises an inner, preferably metallic core (44) and the elastic outer sleeve (43), which is arranged thereon;

   g) the core (44) has an opening (45), preferably an axial through-passage (45), for accommodating the column (2), characterised in that

   h) the casing (5,5';6,6') has a bottom, cup-like part (5,5') in which the spring element (4) is seated; and

   i) the radial, outer circumference of the outer sleeve (43) of the spring element (4) is essentially of cylindrical shape with a top and bottom reduction in diameter.
2. The mounting according to Claim 1, characterised in that

   a) the spring element (4) is restrained at the top by a top molding (6,6');

   b) the top molding (6,6') is connected to the casing (5,5'); and

   c) the seat (3) is fastened on the top molding (6,6').
3. The mounting according to at least one of Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the core (44) is fixed to the outer sleeve (43).
4. The mounting according to at least one of Claims 2 to 3, characterised in that

   a) provided in the top molding (6,6'), coaxially with the pneumatic-spring-forming central column (2), is a through-opening (61,61') for the purpose of actuating the triggering push rod (23) of the pneumatic spring (2); and

   b) the axial through-passage (45) narrows conically.
5. The mounting according to Claim 4, characterised in that

   a) the through-opening (61,61') in the top molding (6,6') has a defined geometry, e.g. a slot; and

   b) the internal core (44) of the spring element (4) has an extension (440) which projects into the through-opening (61,61') and is guided therein, as a result of which the moveability of the seat (3) is limited.

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