EP2144537B1

EP2144537B1 - Seat for chairs or armchairs particularly an adjustable office type

Info

Publication number: EP2144537B1
Application number: EP08754285A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Massimo Costaglia; Alessandro Slongo
Original assignee: L&P Property Management Co
Current assignee: L&P Property Management Co
Priority date: 2007-05-09
Filing date: 2008-05-09
Publication date: 2012-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-09
Also published as: ITMI20070943A1; EP2144537A1; EP2144537A4; WO2008140752A1

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a seat for a chair or armchair. The seat is formed of a load- bearing structure compatible with the frame of a chair or armchair, a seat surface overlapping the load-bearing structure and a removable connection means of the quick release type coupling the seat surface to the load-bearing structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seat for chairs or armchairs, particularly the adjustable office type.
Chairs or armchairs, particularly for office use, are known that comprise a seat possibly paired to a backrest and a pair of arm rests and which are of the adjustable type in particular as relates to the tilt of the seat and backrest.
An office chair is described in US 3 823 980 .
The structure of such adjustable armchairs is generally complex and comprises a plurality of components connected and articulated to each other, which make their production especially costly.
One of the disadvantages found in producing these chairs and armchairs is that of meeting the changing demands of the market in particular as concerns the form, dimensions and design of the various components including, in particular, seat surfaces, thus keeping down production costs.
Currently, in fact, the modification of the seat surface entails the replacement of the entire structure of the chair with significant investment costs and waste of material.
A theatre chair with removable seat member and backrest member is describes in AU 2007 200 895 A1 .
It is the task of the present invention to provide a seat for chairs or armchairs, particularly for office chairs or armchairs, which permits the modification of the form, dimensions and design in particular of the seat surface simply and at reasonable production costs.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a seat for chairs or armchairs that makes it possible to satisfy the changing market demands by reducing the number of components to modify, thus reducing waste of materials.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a seat for chairs or armchairs which is versatile and flexible to use, and which can be applied easily and without requiring special modifications to known tilt adjustment devices.
Within the scope of this technical task, another purpose of the present invention is to fulfill the previous tasks with a simple structure, relatively easy to operate, safe to use and effective to operate, as well as relatively inexpensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a seat for chairs or armchairs, which is characterized by load-bearing structure compatible with the frame of a chair or armchair, a removable type seat surface overlapping the load-bearing structure and connection means for coupling seat surface to the load-bearing structure, said load - bearing structure comprising at least one support arm.
In one embodiment, the removable type connection means is a quick release type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be found in the detailed description of preferred though not exclusive embodiments of a seat for chairs or armchairs particularly the adjustable office type, according to the invention, illustrated, by way of non-limiting examples in the attached drawings showing:

Figure 1 a perspective view from below of a seat according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view and cross-section view of the seat of Figure 1 in which an alternative form of the padding is indicated by a dotted line;
Figure 3 is a plan view from below of the seat of Figure 1 in which an alternative form of the padding is indicated by a dotted line;
Figure 4 is a perspective view and exploded view of a seat according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view and sectional view along the revered plane of Figure 1 of the load-bearing structure of the seat according to the invention;
Figure 6 is an overhead perspective view of the load-bearing structure of the seat according to the invention without the seat surface;
Figure 7 is an overhead perspective view of the support body of the load-bearing structure of the seat according to the invention;
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show in perspective from below the seat according to the invention connected to three different tilt adjustment devices are compatible with the frame of a chair or armchair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 is used to broadly indicate a seat for chairs or armchairs in particular, reclining office type.
In the present specification, the term "seat" is used to indicate all elements which define the support plane of a chair or armchair and which, in general, is paired to a backrest and, optionally, armrests.
In embodiments, the seat 1 comprises a load-bearing structure 2, a removable type seat surface 3 which overlaps the load-bearing structure 2 and a connection means 4 to couple the seat surface 3 to the load-bearing structure 2.
The load-bearing structure 2 is compatible with the frame of a chair or armchair, in particular to the pedestal of an office chair (not shown in the detail).
The load-bearing structure 2 includes a support body 5 which is compatible with the frame of the chair or armchair and a load-bearing base 6 to which the seat surface 3 is connected.
The load-bearing base 6 is slidingly paired to the support body 5 along its longitudinal axis 6A, and is provided with a stop means 7 for supporting sliding of the load-bearing base 6 relative to the support body 5.
The seat surface 3 is formed with a padding support panel 8 and at least one padding layer 9 firmly connected to the support panel 8.
The padding layer 9 is affixed to the support panel 8 by bonding or comolding so as to form a single body, though other connecting schemes can be envisioned.
In one embodiment, the connection means 4 which removably join the seat surface 3 to the load-bearing structure 2, are of a quick release type. Specifically, the connecting means is formed by pairs of tabs 10 which overhanging the side of the load-bearing base 6 turned toward the support panel 8, and each of which is provided with a retaining tooth 11. The pairs of tabs 10 are quick release insertible within the corresponding seats 12 defined in the support plane 8, or vice-versa.
Other ways of forming the removable type connection means 4 and in particular quick release type capable of allowing the removal of the internal seat surface 3 from the load-bearing structure 2, may be envisioned, for example by replacing the seat surface 3 with one of a different design.
In one embodiment of the seat 1, the radial dimensions of the load-bearing structure 2, in a plan view, is smaller and is contained within the radial dimension of the seat surface (see Figure 3). In particular, the radial dimension of the load-bearing base 6, which substantially has the form of a plate, is less and is contained within the radial dimension of the padding layer 9 which wraps around the perimeter edge of the support panel 8. Also, the radial dimension of the support body 5, which also substantially has the form of a plate, is less and is contained within the radial dimension of the load-bearing base 6.
Advantageously, the profile of the seat surface 3 is linked to the profile of the load-bearing structure 2, as shown in Figure 2. In particular, the profile of the portion of padding layer 9 what wraps around the perimeter edge of the support panel 8 connects and continues the course of the profile of the load-bearing base 6.
Figures 2 and 3 show, in a continuous line one embodiment of the seat surface 3 and in particular of the padding layer 9 and, in a dotted line, another embodiment thereof, wider and of a different configuration respectively.
Maintaining the load-bearing structure 2 unchanged enables the replacement of the seat surface 3 to produce seats of different design according to different needs. The different seat surfaces 3 differ by the different design of the padding layer 9, and the possibly (though riot necessarily) by the shape of the support panel 8. Replacement of the seat surface 3 is simple and easy due to the removable type connection means 4 and in particular of quick release type that affixes the seat surface 3 to the load-bearing structure 2.
The load-bearing base 6, to which the seat surface 3 is firmly connected and removable, is slidingly paired to the support body 5 along longitudinal axis 6A. In the embodiment represented in the drawing figures, the load-bearing base 6 has a pair of machined rectilinear guides parallel to longitudinal axis 6A each of which is formed as a groove 13 along which are longitudinally machined buttonholes 14. Inside each rectilinear track there is slidingly housed in both directions at least one runner 15 fastened to the support body 5.
Between each runner 15 and the respective rectilinear track is defined a form connection that prevents reciprocal detachment along the transversal directions to axis 6A, the skids 15 thus acting as transfer elements for the load-bearing base 6 on the support body 5.
In one embodiment, each runner 15 comprises a nut 16 which has one end affixed to the side of the support body 5 facing the load-bearing base 6 and which extends through the respective buttonhole 14. At the opposite end of the nut 16 there is formed a head 17, which widens to the sides of the buttonhole 14 so as to define said form connection.
The runner 15 is fastened to the support body 5 with a screw 18 or other fastener that passes through the thickness of the support body 5 to engage a nut 19 housed in a cavity machined in the head 17. Each runner 15 is formed by one or more flexible tabs 20 machined from one or both of its opposite ends, along the slide path. Flexible tabs 20 extend from the opposite ends of head 17 of each runner 15.
Stop means 7 of the sliding of the load-bearing base 6 relative to the support body 5 includes at least one rack 21, which is machined in the support body 5 and extends in a parallel direction to the longitudinal axis 6A, and an engagement element 22 formed by one or more stop teeth cooperating with the rack 21 and which is paired to the load-bearing base 6.
Engagement element 22 is movably paired to the load-bearing base 6 between an engaged configuration and a release or disengagement configuration with the rack 21, elastic thrust means being provided, comprising a spring 23, capable of maintaining the engagement element 22 in the engaged configuration.
In the engaged configuration, the stop teeth are engaged with the rack 21 to block the sliding of the load-bearing base 6 relative to the support body 5. In the release configuration, the stop teeth are disengaged from the rack 21 to release the sliding of the load-bearing base 6 relative to the support body 5.
The stop means 7 also includes a push-button device for controlling movement of the engagement element 22 between the two configurations. Such a push-button device is formed by a pin 24 that is provided parallel to the rack 21 and which is rotatively supported around its own axis by a pair of first supports 25 machined in the load-bearing base 6. The engagement element 22 is fastened in overhang to the pin 24.
A bracket 26 protrudes from the pin 24 in a direction opposite to the engagement element 22 and defines a comparison surface for the spring 23.
At the opposite end of the pin 24 is defined a further bracket 27 on which leverage is applied for controlling the rotation of the pin 24 and which is provided with a drive button 28. Such leverage is applied via a lever 29 pivotable around the articulation pin 30 which is parallel to the pin 24, and which is rotatively supported by a pair of corresponding supports 31 machined on the load-bearing base 6. One end of the lever 29 acts on the bracket 27, the opposite end being provided with the drive button 28 housed in a corresponding aperture 32 machined in the load-bearing base 6 and from which it protrudes below.
A cover 33, fastened using the screws 34 to the load-bearing base 6, holds the various elements of the stop means 7 in their corresponding seats.
Acting on the drive button 28 causes the rotation of the pin 24 in opposition to the thrust action of the spring 23 (counterclockwise in the figures) and, therefore, the release of the engagement element 22 from the rack 21. This facilitates sliding of the load-bearing base and as a consequence the seat surface 3 firmly connected to it, relative to the support body 5 to be able to adjust its position along axis 6A.
Between the load-bearing base 6 and the support body 5, return elastic bodies act, which in the depicted embodiment comprise one or more traction springs 35. The one or more traction springs 35 act in parallel to the axis 6A, and each has opposite ends hooked to the load-bearing base 6 and to the support body 5, respectively. Each traction spring 35 is enclosed between a respective housing containment 36 machined in the support body 5, thus remaining hidden and inaccessible to a user.
In one embodiment, seat 1 includes one or two support arms 37 of a respective armrest which are removably paired to the load-bearing structure 2. In particular, the load-bearing structure 2 is formed by a crossbrace 38 of the load-bearing base 6 connected to the upper side of the load-bearing base 6. Each arm 37 is L-shaped and has a leg which rests on the lower surface of the load-bearing baste 6 and the other leg that extends upward and next to the load-bearing base 6.
The L-shaped leg that rests on the lower surface of the load-bearing base 6 is provided with holes through which screws 39 or other fasteners pass through the load-bearing base 6. The screws 39 engage in corresponding holes machined at the opposite ends of the crossbrace 38. In this way, the arms 37 and the crossbrace 38 are affixed to the load-bearing base 6.
The support body 5 can be connected below with a tilt control device 40 of seat 1.
Figures 8, 9 and. 10 show seat 1 connected to different types of the control device 40 not illustrated in detail for sake of clarity and as they are of a well known type.
Each of these adjustment devices 40 is provided with a connection seat 41 for the rod or support pedestal of a chair.
In one embodiment, the support body 5 contains one or more.pairs of ears 42 that protrude there below, each of which is provided with an eye for the articulation with the control device 40.
In operation, load-bearing structure 2, in particular support body 5 of the same, is affixed to the frame or a chair or armchair directly or, possibly, using a tilt control device 40. In the event a chair occupant wishes to change the position of the seat surface 3, it is sufficient to press the drive button 28 to release the stop element 22 from the rack 21 and to free the relative axial sliding of the seat surface 3 relative to the load-bearing structure 2. By releasing drive button 28, stop element 22, thrust by the reaction of the spring 23, returns to an engaged configuration with the rack 21, blocking the seat surface 3 in the desired position. The springs 35 insure the return of the seat surface 3 at the beginning of the adjustment travel.
In case it is necessary to replace the seat surface 3, for example with one having different dimensions, shape or design, it is sufficient to detach it from the load-bearing structure 2 and to attach it to a new or different seat surface 3. The execution of the operations replacing the seat surface 3 is simple and quick due to the providing of the connection means 4 of a removable type and, particularly, quick release type.
It has been shown in practice how various embodiments the of described invention achieves its aims. It should be emphasized, in particular, the fact that the seat according to the invention makes it possible to modify the shape of the seat surface according to the various market needs while unaltered load-bearing structure, which, consequently, brings about a reduction of the costs for producing various chairs as well as less waste of material.
The seat according to the invention also permits simple and safe adjustment of the seat surface, all components of the control device, including the return springs, recessed/encased in the load-bearing structure and inaccessible to a user, with the exception of the drive button.
Finally, the seat according to the invention is versatile allowing it to be equipped with different types of adjustment devices in a simple fashion.
The thus conceived invention is subject to many modifications and variations all of which fall within the scope of the inventive concept. Also all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent details. In practice, the materials used, as well as the forms and dimensions can be any of those according to the needs without falling outside the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

A seat (1) for chairs or armchairs, characterized in that it comprises a load-bearing structure (2) compatible with the frame of a chair or armchair, a seat surface (3) overlapping said load-bearing structure and connection means (4) to couple a removable type of said seat surface (3) to said load-bearing structure (2), characterized in that said load-bearing structure (2) comprises at least one support arm (37) for an armrest.
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that, seen in a plan view, the radial dimension of said load-bearing structure (2) is smaller and is contained inside the radial dimension of said seat surface (3).
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said removable connection means (4) are of the quick release type.
A seat (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that said removable and quick release connection means (4) comprise at least one tab (10) defined as overhanging the side of said load-bearing structure (2) turned toward said seat surface (3) and provided with at least one retaining tooth (11) which can be inserted for quick release in a corresponding seat (12) defined in the side of said seat surface (3) turned toward said load-bearing structure (2) or vice-versa.
A seat (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of said tabs (10) are provided in pairs.
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said seat surface (3) comprises a support panel (8) and at least one padding layer (9) which is firmly connected to said support panel (8).
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said seat surface (3) has a profile which connects to the profile of said load-bearing structure (2).
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said load-bearing structure (2) comprises a support body (5) compatible with said frame and a load-bearing base (6) on which said seat surface is connected and which is slidingly paired to said support body (5) along its longitudinal axis (6A), said load-bearing base (6) being provided with a stop means (7) for supporting the sliding of said load-bearing base (6) relative to said support body (5).
A seat (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that said load-bearing base (6) comprises at least one track rectilinear and parallel to said longitudinal axis (6A) which is defined on the one hand between said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6) and at least one runner (15) which is slidingly housed in said guide and which is define on the other hand between said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6), between said runner (15) and said guide being defined a form connection which prevents separation along the transverse direction to said longitudinal axis (6A).
A seat (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that said runner (15) comprises at least one flexible tab (20) defined by at least one of the two opposite ends, considered in the sliding direction.
A seat (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that said guide comprises at least one groove (13) defined in said load-bearing base (6) in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis (6A) and at least one buttonhole (14) defined along said groove (13) and by the fact that said runner (15) comprises a rod which is fastened to said support body (5) and which extends through said buttonhole (14), and a head (17), which is fastened to the free end of said rod and which widens at the sides of said buttonhole (14) thus defining said form connection.
A seat (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that said stop means (7) comprise at least one rack (21) parallel to said longitudinal axis (6A) and firmly affixed to one of said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6) and at least one pawl (22) which is paired movably to the other between said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6) between an engaged configuration, in which said pawl (22) engages with said rack (21) for blocking of the sliding of said load-bearing base (6) relative to said support body (5), and a release configuration, in which said pawl (22) is disengaged by said rack (21) for the release of the sliding of said load-bearing base (6) relative to said support body (5), said pawl (22) being held in said engaged configuration by elastic thrust means (23).
A seat (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that said pawl (22) is paired to a push button device that controls its motion from said engaged configuration to said release configuration contrary to said elastic thrust means (23).
A seat (1) according to Claim 13, characterized in that said push button device comprises a pin (24) that is rotatively mounted around its longitudinal axis and which is provided parallel to said rack (21) and to which is fastened in overhang at least one pawl (22), a bracket (26) which protrudes from said pin (24) in the opposed direction to said pawl (22) and on which act said elastic thrust means (23) and a leverage that controls the rotation of said pin (24) and which is provided with a drive button (28).
A seat (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that it comprises return elastic bodies acting between said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6).
A seat (1) according to Claim 15, characterized in that said return elastic bodies comprise at least one traction spring (35) which acts parallel to said longitudinal axis (6A) and whose opposite ends are hooked to said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6), respectively, at least one between said support body (5) and said load-bearing base (6) comprising at least one housing containment (36) of said traction spring (35).
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said load-bearing structure (2) comprises a crossbrace (38) of said load-bearing base (6) to which is anchored at least one support arm (37).
A seat (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a tilt control device (40) which is fastened to said load-bearing structure (2) and which is compatible with said frame.
A seat (1) according to Claim 18; characterized in that said support body (5) comprises mounting means to said tilt control device (40).