EP2217109A1

EP2217109A1 - Chair structure

Info

Publication number: EP2217109A1
Application number: EP07866773A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michele De Bonis Sciaraffia; Gilberto Gualandi; Fiammetta Costa; Maximiliano Romero
Original assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Current assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Priority date: 2007-11-27
Filing date: 2007-11-27
Publication date: 2010-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-27
Also published as: ATE506877T1; WO2009069158A1; EP2217109B1; DE602007014273D1; US20100259084A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a chair structure (10) comprising a base (1), a seat (13), a connection element (60) for connecting said base (1) to said seat (13), said base being able to be attached in at least one point (P1) to a support plane, first connection means (81) for connecting a first end (80) of said connection element (60) to said base (1), said first connection means (81) being able to rotate with respect to said base to allow said connection element to rotate about a first axis (X) that extends in a direction substantially parallel to said support plane, so that said seat (13) passes between a first operative position (Q1), in which chair structure (10) is that said base (1) is able to rotate with respect to said support plane about a second axis (Y1) that extends in a direction transversal to said support plane, to pass between a first working configuration (C1) and a second entry or exit configuration.

Description

Title "Chair structure"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a chair structure comprising a base, a seat and a connection element for connecting the base to the seat. The connection element is able to rotate with respect to the base so as to allow a rotation about an axis parallel to a support plane of the base, so that the seat can pass between a first operative position and a second operative position, according to the preamble of the main claim.

Chair structures of the type indicated above have been widely used in the teaching environment, in hospitals and on boats, as well as in homes, offices, cinemas, theatres and banks. In these places it is known to use pluralities of desks, for example organised in rows, between which one or more of the chair structures are arranged.

In the rest of the present description, by "first operative position" we mean the position of the seat suitable for receiving a user in an ergonomic fashion, by "second operative position" (or "second advanced position") we mean a position of the seat that is inclined with respect to the first operative position, whereas by "third operative position" we mean a position of the seat that is inclined differently to the second operative position.

In the rest of the present description, by "seating area" we mean the space occupied by the user when he sits on the seat and occupies the desk, or portion of desk, assigned to him. Furthermore, in the rest of the present description, by "first configuration" we mean the configuration of the seat suitable for receiving a user in an ergonomic fashion when he faces the desk associated with the chair structure, whereas by "second configuration" we mean the configuration of the seat suitable for allowing a user to enter and/or exit the seating area. In order to optimise the spaces of the aforementioned environments various solutions have been developed suitable for making less bulky seat structures. For example, document JP 2006-122460 describes a chair structure comprising a seat, a back, a base fixed to a floor and a connection element to connect the seat to the base.

In particular, the base consists of a block of plastic material capable of ensuring that it returns to the first operative position, without external intervention, once the connection element has been taken from a first position to a forward position.

Moreover, the aforementioned seat is able to slide forwards and backwards on guides arranged on the upper end part of the aforementioned leg.

Although this solution has the possibility of sliding the seat to reduce the bulk of the chair in the first position, it nevertheless has the drawback of not ensuring sufficient space to ensure easy access and/or exit for a user in the seating area.

Document DE 3246378 describes a chair structure comprising a seat, a base able to be fixed to the floor and a connection element to connect the seat to the base.

In particular, the seat can be rotated along its own axis that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the floor.

Although this solution illustrates characteristics suitable for making it easier for a user to access and/or exit the seating area, it nevertheless has the drawback of not allowing the possibility of decreasing the bulk of the aforementioned chair structure.

In view of the state of the art described, the purpose of the present invention is to make a more ergonomic chair structure, which is able to reduce the bulk during the various operative positions and that allows the space available to the user to be optimised.

A further purpose of the present invention is to make a chair structure suitable for making it easier for the user to enter and/or exit the seating area and that has functional characteristics such as to increase the space between the chair structure inserted between the rows of desks.

In accordance with the present invention, these and other purposes are accomplished by a chair structure in accordance with claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from the following detailed description of a practical embodiment, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a side view of the chair structure in a first operative position Ql and in a first configuration Cl in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 2 is a side view of the chair structure in a second operative position Q2 and in the first configuration Cl in accordance with the present invention; - figure 3 is a side perspective view of the chair structure in the first operative position Ql and in an intermediate configuration in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 4 is a front view of the chair structure in the first operative position Ql and in a second configuration C2 in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 5 is a view from above of the chair structure in the operative position and in the configuration of figure 2;

- figure 6 is a view from above of the chair structure in the operative position and in the configuration of figure 1 ;

- figure 7 is a view from above of the chair structure in the operative position and in the configuration of figure 3; - figure 8 is a view from above of the chair structure in the operative position and in the configuration of figure 4;

- figure 9 is a side view of the chair structure in a third operative position Q3;

- figure 10 is a view from above of the chair structure in the operative position of figure 9;

- figure 11 is a perspective view of an element of the chair structure in accordance with the present invention;

- figure 12 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the chair structure illustrated in figure 1. With reference to the aforementioned figures, in particular to figure 1, the chair structure object of the present invention is indicated with 10, which comprises:

- a base 1 that can be fixed to a support plane like, for example, a floor, - a seat 13, and - a connection element 60 capable of connecting the base 1 to the seat 13.

It should immediately be noted that in the chair structure 10 it is possible to identify a front side or front area "A" with reference to the side that the user faces when he is correctly and ergonomically sat on the seat 13.

The chair structure 10 can be applied in diverse environments, like for example places of learning, like classrooms or university lecture halls, places of entertainment, like theatres or cinemas, banks or places for giving information, like meeting halls or conference halls.

At these locations it is often foreseen to use rows of desks or tables 50 provided with a substantially horizontal support surface 52 and with a support element 54 suitable for supporting the support surface 52. Typically, one or more chair structures 10 are arranged between the rows of desks 50, side-by- side so as to form a row of chair structures (not illustrated in the figures).

Clearly, it is foreseen for a suitable space to be left to define the seating area in which a user can sit down, so as to make it safe and easy to enter and/or exit, between the side-by-side chair structures 10. With reference to the attached figures, it should be noted that the seat 13 can be associated with a back 16, which gives the user who takes a seat in the seating area something to rest his shoulders against.

It should be noted that the connection element 60 comprises:

- a first end 80 suitable for being coupled through first connection means 81 to the base 1 and - a second end 82 suitable for being coupled through second connection means 83 to the seat 13.

The first connection means 81 are in the form of elements capable of rotating with respect to the base 1 so as to allow the connection element 60 to rotate about a first axis X (figure 3). Such a rotation is indicated in figures 1 and 2 by the broken line T2. It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the rotation axis X of the first connection means 81 can, advantageously, be positioned so that it extends in a direction substantially parallel to the floor.

The seat 13 is therefore able to complete a rotation movement about the axis X along the trajectory T2 between a first operative position Ql (figure 1 and 6) and a second operative position Q2 (figure 2, 5, 9 and 10).

Alternatively, the rotation axis X could extend along a direction transversal to the floor. In particular, the second operative position Q2 can be either a forward position Q2A or else an intermediate operative position Q3 between the first operative position Ql and the forward operative position Q2A. In other words, the seat 13 can be in the following operative conditions along the trajectory T2:

- in the first operative position Ql in which it is foreseen for the seat 13 of the chair structure 10 to be able to receive the user in the seating area,

- in the second operative position Q2A in which it is foreseen that the back 16 is close to the end edge of the desk 50 and

- in the third intermediate operative position Q3 between the first operative position Ql and the second forward operative position Q2A in which it is foreseen that, when the user is positioned on the seat 13, a person is able to pass behind the user without the same user having to leave the seating area or get up from the seat 13.

It should be noted that the passage between the first operative position Ql and the third intermediate operative position Q3 can be obtained through a movement of the user's weight when he takes his place on the seat 13. In other words, the rotation about the axis X of the seat 13 to pass from the first operative position Ql to the third operative position Q3 takes place following a voluntary movement by the user in moving the weight towards the front area "A" of the chair structure 10. In this way, advantageously, it is possible to increase the space between the back 16 and the surface 54 of the desk 50, thus allowing easier access to the chair structures arranged in the row of chair structures by other users. The chair structure 10 therefore allows a person to pass behind the seated user without making the user of the chair structure 10 get up.

In other words, thanks to this characteristic, the user, who finds a place on the seat 13, when he distributes his body weight in a position farther forward than the normal seated position, ensures that the connection element 60 of the structure 10 is forced to move between the first operative position Ql and the third intermediate operative position Q3.

Now with reference to the Cartesian reference system (O, x, y) of the type indicated in figures 1, 2 and 9, having the origin O positioned on the rotation axis X of the connection element 60, it is possible to identify for each operative position Ql, Q2A and Q3 the angular values that such operative positions can take up with respect to the support plane. In particular, it is shown that the first operative position Ql, the second forward operative position Q2A and the third intermediate operative position Q3 respectively define a first, second and third angle α, β and γ, such angles α, β and γ being between the half line having origin in point P2 and direction parallel to the versor associated with the Cartesian axis x and the right line having origin in point P2 of the base 1 and passing through point P3 of the seat 13. In an embodiment, the first angle α is variable within the range between 50° and 70°, the second angle β is variable within the range between 90° and 120° and the third angle γ is variable within the range between 70° and 80°.

Also with reference to figures 11 and 12, the first connection means 81 comprise elastic means 94 that are able to exert an elastic force such as to keep the connection element 60 in the first operative position Ql with respect to said support plane even if the seat 13 is forced to move. In other words:

- when the seat 13 is forced to moved to pass from the first operative position Ql to the second forward operative position Q2A, the elastic means 94 act to take the seat 13 back from the forward operative position Q2A to the first operative position Ql, - when the user moves his weight towards the front area "A" of the chair structure 10 to pass from the first operative position Ql to the intermediate operative position Q3, the elastic means

94 act to take the seat 13 back from the intermediate operative position Q3 to the first operative position Q 1 at the same time helping the user to perform this rotation.

In particular, such elastic means 94 are able to maintain the first operative position Ql when the connection element 60 passes between the first operative position Ql and the second forward operative position Q2A or else between the first operative position Ql and the third intermediate operative position Q3.

It is also foreseen that the first connection means 81 , so as to allow the rotation about the axis X, comprise a pin 86 that extends along such an axis X.

In other words, the pin 86 extends substantially parallel to the support plane of the chair structure 10.

Indeed, as can be seen from figures 11 and 12, the second pin 86 extends through an opening 3 formed in the base 1.

Such a pin 86, advantageously, comprises stop means 96 that go into abutment with a shoulder

(not indicated), so as to limit the maximum possible angular excursion β of the connection element 60 about the axis X, or else limit the rotation of the seat 13 about the axis X until the second forward operative position Q2A is reached.

The second connection means 83 for connecting the connection element 60 to the seat 13, in an embodiment of the present invention, allow a rotation of the seat 13 about an axis Y3 that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis Yl . In this way, the user can make the seat 13 perform a rotation along a trajectory T3 making the chair structure 10 more ergonomic and usable.

Preferably, the rotation of the seat 13 is within the range between the predetermined initial position and 180° both in the clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

In other words, the seat 13 starting from a predetermined initial position, which preferably coincides with the front side "A", in reference to the direction in which the user faces when he is correctly and ergonomically sat on the seat 13, can describe 90° in the clockwise and/or anticlockwise direction in order to make such a seat 13 more comfortable and usable. Preferably, the second connection means 83 are equipped with elastic means 98 that allow the seat 13 to automatically return into the predetermined initial position. Alternatively, the second connection means 83 are in the form of a fixed coupling between the connection element 60 and the seat 13.

The connection element 60 to connect the seat 13 with the base 1 foresees that the second end 82 extends along a first direction and the first end 81 extends along a second direction, such directions being incident to each other, so that the second end 82 and the first end 81 of the connection element 60 can be joined together in the area of incidence through a curvilinear portion.

Of course, the man skilled in the art can foresee other structurally and/or functionally equivalent types of configuration in place of the aforementioned configuration of the connection element. In a preferred embodiment, the connection element 60 is made in a single piece. Advantageously, also with reference to figures 3 to 8, the base 1 of the chair structure 10 is able to rotate with respect to the floor about a second axis Yl that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the floor.

Thanks to this characteristic, the chair structure 10 can thus pass between a first working configuration Cl (figures 1 and 6) and a second entry or exit configuration C2 (figures 4 and 8). For this purpose, also with reference to figure 12, the base 1 comprises: - a fixed part 7,

- a mobile part 5,

- attachment means 6 to attach the fixed portion 7 to the floor in at least one point Pl , and

- rotation means 6 to allow a rotation of the mobile part 5 with respect to the fixed part 7.

In particular, the rotation means 6 are in the form of a pin 9 that extends along the second axis Yl so that the mobile part 5 is able to pass between the first configuration Cl and the second configuration C2.

In other words, the base 1 can perform a clockwise and/or anti-clockwise rotation with respect to the support plane thanks to the pin 9 that, preferably, is perpendicular to the floor.

In this way, the mobile part 5 is structured so as to be able to pass between the first configuration

Cl and the second configuration C2 at the time when the user prepares to leave or enter the seating area.

In a preferred embodiment, it is foreseen that an end 9A of the pin 9 is rigidly attached to the fixed part 7 of the base 1, whereas the other end 9B of the pin 9 is coupled with the mobile part 5 of the base 1.

For this purpose, the end 9A of the pin 9 is attached to the fixed part 7 of the base 1 through welding or forcing, where the other end 9B of the pin 9 is coupled with the mobile part 5 of the base 1 through a system of sliding or ball bearings.

Of course, the man skilled in the art can foresee other structurally and/or functionally equivalent types of couplings in place of the aforementioned welding or forcing or the aforementioned system of sliding or ball bearings. Moreover, it is also foreseen that the mobile part 5 of the base 1 is secured to the pin 9, in its end

9B, through a screw/nut screw/washer system.

The attachment means 8 for attaching the fixed part 7 of the base 1 to the floor can be in the form of common connection elements like for example pins or screws suitable for engaging with screw anchors fixed to the support plane. Advantageously, also with reference to figure 12, the base 1 also comprises elastic means 90 suitable for acting between the fixed part 7 and the mobile part 5.

In this way, the elastic means 90 exert an elastic force capable of keeping the mobile part 5 in a predetermined angular position with respect to the fixed part 7 when said angular position passes between the second configuration C2 and the first configuration Cl or vice-versa. Advantageously, the presence of the elastic means 90 allows the seat 13 to automatically return into the predetermined initial angular position.

In other words, when the user leaves the seating area, the seat 13 and with it the mobile part 5 of the base 1 perform a rotation about the axis X describing the trajectory Tl so as to pass between the first configuration Cl and the second configuration C2.

Once the user has actually left the seating area, the elastic means 90 exert an elastic force on the mobile part 5 so as to take the seat back from the second configuration C2 to the first configuration Cl.

For example, the elastic means 90 are in the form of an elastic spring.

Of course, the man skilled in the art can foresee other structurally and/or functionally equivalent types of elastic means, like for example pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical systems, in place of the aforementioned elastic means.

It should be noted that the mobile part 5 of the base 1 is the seat of the opening 3 through which the pin 86 of the first connection means 81 extends.

In particular, such an opening 3 is configured so as to receive the connection means 81 both in the left portion and in the right portion of the mobile part 5, with respect to the front side with reference to the direction in which the user faces.

Indeed, also with reference to figure 11, the opening 3, foreseen in the mobile part 5 of the base element 1, can be made so as to be symmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the axis

Yl of rotation of the base 1 and perpendicular to the axis X.

Thanks to this characteristic, it is therefore possible to associate the connection element 60 both on the right portion and on the left portion to make chair structures 10.

Therefore, there is the possibility of making chair structures 10 capable of allowing the user to exit from the left or right with respect to the front side "A".

In particular, in the specific representations illustrated in the attached figures, it should be noted that the connection element 60 is associated with the opening 3 in the left portion of the mobile part 5 and the direction of the rotation of the base 1 with respect to the floor is anti-clockwise. It should be noted that in an embodiment of the invention, an end of the second pin 86 is associated with the mobile part 5 whereas the other end of such a second pin 86 is associated with the first connection means 81 of the connection element 60.

Now with reference to figures 1 to 8, it is possible to note that, according to an embodiment of the chair structure 10 and in view of the specific embodiment of the connection element 60, the axis Yl is staggered with respect to a third axis Y2, which is perpendicular to the support plane and passing through the first axis X.

In particular, the axis Yl is staggered by a predetermined distance dl, so that such an axis Yl is behind the front side "A" of the aforementioned chair structure 10 and the axis Y2. As can be seen from figure 1, this ensures that the seat 13 in the first working configuration, thanks to the characteristics of the seat structure 10, can be in front of the support surface 52 by a predetermined distance d3.

Alternatively, it is also foreseen that the axis Yl is staggered by a predetermined distance (not illustrated in the figures), so that such an axis Yl is in front of the front side "A" of the aforementioned chair structure 10 and the axis Y2, or else so that it can coincide with such an axis Y2.

In a preferred embodiment, the fourth axis Y3 is staggered with respect to the second axis Yl by a predetermined distance d2 (figures 1 and 4), being behind the axis Yl with reference to the direction in which the user is facing.

It should be noted that the distance d2 can be considered as the radius of the trajectory Tl described by the seat 13 in the movement carried out to pass between the first working configuration Cl and the second entry and/or exit configuration.

This characteristic ensures that the chair structure 10 has a smaller bulk during the entry and/or exit from the seating area, and that space is gained between the back 16 and the support surface 54 behind the front side of the chair structure 10. In other words, the chair structure 10 has three axes Yl, Y2 and Y3 that are staggered apart to give better characteristics of optimisation of space, usability and ergonomics compared to the solutions made up to now in the state of the art.

As indicated in the specific representations illustrated in figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the chair structure 10, performing the rotation about the second axis Yl, describes an anti-clockwise and/or clockwise trajectory Tl that makes it easier for the user both to enter and exit the area of use. Moreover, as indicated in figure 4, thanks to the trajectory Tl described in the movement towards the entry and/or exit configuration C2, the chair structure 10 does not interfere in any way with the edge of the desk 50, thus optimising the spaces occupied by the chair structure 10 and making it easier for the user to access the seating area. Of course, a man skilled in the art can bring numerous modifications and variants to the embodiment described above, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, which are also covered by the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Chair structure (10) comprising: - a base (1),

- a seat (13),

- a connection element (60) for connecting said base (1) to said seat (13), - said base being able to be attached in at least one point (Pl) to a support plane,

- first connection means (81) for connecting a first end (80) of said connection element (60) to said base (1), said first connection means (81) being able to rotate with respect to said base to allow said connection element to rotate about a first axis (X) that extends in a direction substantially parallel to said support plane, so that said seat (13) passes between a first operative position (Ql), in which said seat (13) is suitable for receiving a user in an ergonomic fashion, and a second operative position (Q2), characterised in that said base (1) is able to rotate with respect to said support plane about a second axis (Yl) that extends in a direction transversal to said support plane, to pass between a first working configuration (Cl) and a second entry or exit configuration.

2. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim I₃ wherein said base (1) comprises:

- a fixed part (7),

- a mobile part (5),

- attachment means (8) to attach said fixed part (7) to said support plane in at least one point (Pl), - rotation means (6) suitable for allowing a rotation of said mobile part (5) with respect to said fixed part (7) about a first pin (9) that extends along said second axis (Yl), said mobile part being suitable for passing between said first configuration (Cl) and said second configuration (C2).

3. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim 2, wherein said base (1) comprises elastic means (90) suitable for acting between said fixed part (7) and said mobile part (5) to keep said mobile part (5) orientated in a predetermined angular position with respect to said fixed part (7), said predetermined angular position corresponding to said first configuration (Cl).

4. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein said first connection means (81) having a second pin (86) that extends along said first axis (X), to allow said passage between said first operative position (Ql) and said second operative position (Q2), the latter comprising a forward operative position (Q2A) and an intermediate operative position (Q3) between said first operative position (Ql) and said forward operative position (Q2A), wherein:

- in said first operative position (Ql) it is foreseen for the seat (13) to be able to receive the user in the seating area.

- in said second forward operative position (Q2A) it is foreseen for the back (16) to be close to an end edge of a desk (50) and - in said third intermediate operative position (Q3) it is foreseen that when the user is positioned on the seat (13) a person is allowed to pass behind the user without the user having to leave the seating area or get up from the seat (13).

5. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim 4, wherein said second pin (86) extends through an opening (3) formed in said mobile part (5) of said base (1) and wherein an end of said second pin is associated with said mobile part (5) and the other end of said second pin (86) is associated with said first connection means (81) of said connection element (60).

6. Chair structure (10) in accordance with any one of the previous claims from 1 to 5, wherein in said chair structure (10) it is possible to identify a front side, with reference to the direction in which said user faces, said second axis (Yl) being staggered with respect to a third axis (Y2) by a predetermined distance (dl), so that said second axis (Yl) is behind said front side of said chair structure (10) and said third axis (Y2), said third axis (Y2) being parallel to said second axis (Yl) and passing through said first axis (X).

7. Chair structure (10) in accordance with any one of the previous claims from 1 to 5, wherein in said chair structure (10) it is possible to identify a front side, with reference to the direction in which said user faces, said second axis (Yl) being staggered with respect to a third axis (Y2) by a predetermined distance (dl), so that said second axis (Yl) is in front of said front side of said chair structure (10) and said third axis (Y2), said third axis (Y2) being parallel to said second axis (Yl) and passing through said first axis (X).

8. Chair structure (10) in accordance with any one of the previous claims from 1 to 7, wherein said chair structure (10) comprises second connection means (83) to connect a second end (82) of said connection element (60) to said seat (13), said second connection means (83) being suitable for allowing a rotation of said seat (13) about a fourth axis (Y3) that extends in a direction substantially parallel to said second axis (Yl).

9. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second end (82) of said connection element (60) extends along a first direction and said first end (81) of said connection element (60) extends along a second direction, such directions being incident to each other, said second end (82) and said first end (81) being joined to each other in the area of incidence through a curvilinear portion.

10. Chair structure (10) in accordance with claim 8, wherein said fourth axis (Y3) is staggered with respect to said third axis (Y2).

11. Chair structure (10) in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein said second axis (Yl) is perpendicular to said support plane.