EP2323899A1

EP2323899A1 - Seatfold

Info

Publication number: EP2323899A1
Application number: EP09788596A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Algot Sandberg
Original assignee: Vemdaliahuset AB
Current assignee: Vemdaliahuset AB
Priority date: 2008-08-05
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: WO2010016794A1; SE535986C2

Abstract

This invention relates to seating arrangement in for example boats, caravans, mobile homes or anywhere where seating is desirable in places with limited space. It comprises a supporting beam (2) and at least one supporting plate (1) mounted to the supporting beam onto which a frame work for a seat cushion can be mounted. It further comprises a rear supporting leg (7, 7') and a back rest (6, 6'), wherein the back rest (6, 6') and the rear supporting leg (7, 7') are pivotally mounted to the supporting beam such that they can be folded when not in use. The back rest (6, 6') and the rear supporting leg (7, 7') are also pivotally connected to each other by means of a gear arrangement (9) which simplifies the use of the seating arrangement since the rear supporting leg (7, 7') will be retracted automatically when the back rest (6, 6') is folded. Similarly, the rear supporting leg (7, 7') will be extended when the back rest (6, 6') is unfolded.

Description

SEATFOLD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to seating devices and more specifically to folding seats for use in boats, caravans, motor homes or similar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seating arrangements in sailing boats of the kind referred to here generally consist of sofas along the hull with a table placed in the middle. However, as the sailing boats become larger, the gap between the sofas and the table becomes too large. Many manufacturers of sailing boats solve this problem by offering customers to buy one or more separate chairs. The table is then placed along one of the sofas and chairs are used on the other side of the table. There are, however, a number of problems associated with these loose chairs. For one thing, they somehow have to be secured to e.g. the table in case of rough sea conditions or else they will be damaged or cause damage to other objects, for another thing they occupy a great deal of space and tend to even further complicate the already troublesome work of cleaning the limited space inside the boat.

US-3095232 discloses a seating arrangement for boats which seating arrangement can be pivotally moved to a remote position of storage to provide for passage when necessary. However, this arrangement is nevertheless, even in the storage position, quite space-requiring. US- 2474252 discloses a combined chair and table unit. Here, the chairs are hidden under the table top in a folded and collapsed position. The construction is characterized by a large number of joints and a complex design. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems of prior art, and to provide a space saving seating arrangement which does not have to be secured when not in use.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved with a seating arrangement according to the present invention as defined in claim 1.

Consequently, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a seating arrangement comprising a supporting beam and at least one supporting plate mounted to the supporting beam. The seating arrangement further comprises a rear supporting leg and a back rest. The back rest and the rear supporting leg are pivotally mounted to the supporting beam, and the back rest and the rear supporting leg are pivotally connected to each other by means of a gear arrangement. Due to the gear arrangement the rear supporting leg will be extended when the back rest is unfolded and similarly the rear supporting leg will be retracted when the back rest is folded. In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, a base plate is pivotally connected to a lower part of the supporting beam. The pivotal connection enables the seating to be even more space saving.

In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, the gear arrangement comprises a first gear mounted to the back rest and a second gear mounted to the rear supporting leg and wherein said gears mesh with each other. This solution allows a smooth folding and unfolding of the back rest and rear leg and a very high degree of stability and reliability.

In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, the supporting beam comprises an inner beam and an outer beam, wherein the outer beam encircles the inner beam and wherein the outer beam can be displaced along the inner beam and wherein the at least one supporting plate is mounted to the outer beam. This displacement makes it possible to adjust the in depth position of the seat.

In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, the first and second gears are carried by the supporting beam. The gear arrangement can be received within the beam and thereby it can be avoided that objects such as a users clothing get stuck in the arrangement.

In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, a frame work for a seat cushion is mounted to said at least one supporting plate and a rear edge of the frame work is arranged to abut the back rest in an upright position of the back rest. This increases the stability of the back rest.

In accordance with an embodiment of the seating arrangement, the seating arrangement comprises two supporting plates mounted on either side of the outer beam. Having the supporting beam positioned between the two seats is convenient since users of the seating arrangement may sit down and rise independently of each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, as defined in claim 8, there is provided a table comprising at least one seating arrangement according to any of the preceding claims. When the seating arrangement is integrated in the table construction a standalone seating-table combination is achieved that can be positioned wherever suitable independently of the position of other furniture.

It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing embodiment(s) of the invention. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the seating arrangement according to the present inventive concept.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of a seating arrangement according to the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 show side views of an embodiment of a seating arrangement according to the invention in respective extended and retracted positions. Figures 6 and 6a shows a perspective view of a gear arrangement of a seating arrangement according to the invention.

Figures 7 and 8 show side views of an embodiment of a seating arrangement according to the invention in respective extended and retracted positions when used together with a table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a seating arrangement 100 comprising two supporting plates 1 , whereby each supporting plate 1 is intended to support one seat. The two supporting plates 1 are mounted to a supporting beam 2 comprising a curved hollow front beam 3, functioning as front supporting leg, and a hollow rear beam 4 to which said supporting plates 1 are mounted and which encircles the front hollow beam 3. The rear hollow beam 4 can be displaced along said front hollow beam 3, thereby providing a user with the possibility of adjusting the in depth position of the seat. A base plate 5 is pivotally connected to a lower part of the supporting beam 2. This base plate 5 can be used to fasten the seating arrangement 100 to the flooring or to a table construction. The pivotal connection between the base plate 5 and the supporting beam 2 makes it possible to retract the seating arrangement 100 underneath for example a table and further improves the space saving qualities of the seating arrangement 100. The supporting beam 2 is typically made from sheet metal which is cheap, easy to work and provides a high degree of strength. The surface of the sheet metal can be finished by way of for example coating or anodizing. The seating arrangement 100 further comprises back rests 6, 6' and rear supporting legs 7, T . Each back rest 6, 6' and rear supporting leg 7, 7' is carried on the one side in the rear hollow beam 4 and on the other side in outer bearing arrangements 8 mounted on the supporting plates 1. The back rests 6, 6' and the rear supporting legs 7, T may be carried in bushings, for example as journal bearings or slide bearings, or in ball- or needle bearings, or they may be carried directly in the rear hollow beam 4 and the outer bearing arrangements 8. The back rests 6, 6' and the rear supporting legs 7, 7' are connected to each other by means of a gear arrangement 9 wherein the back rest 6 is mounted to a first gear 10 of the gear arrangement 9 and the rear supporting leg 7, 7' is mounted to a second gear 11 of the gear arrangement 9 and wherein said first and second gears 10, 11 mesh with each other. This has the effect that when the back rest 6, 6' is unfolded, rear supporting leg 7, 7' will automatically be extended and vice versa the rear supporting leg 7, 7' will be retracted when the back rest 6, 6' is folded. Of course, the corresponding will happen if the rear supporting leg 7, 7' is actuated instead of the back rest 6, 6'. However, the back rest 6, 6' is more convenient to manoeuvre for a user in most situations. In this embodiment both back rests 6, 6' are mounted to a common first gear 10 and both rear supporting legs 7, 7' are mounted to a common second gear 11. This means that when for example one of the back rests 6 is actuated the other back 6' rest and both rear supporting legs 7, 7' are unfolded or extended respectively. It is, however, also possible to have a separate first gear 10, 10' for each back rest 6, 6' and a separate second gear 11 , 11 ' for each rear supporting leg 7, 7'. With this solution the folding/unfolding of one seat is done independently of that of the other seat. The rear supporting leg 7, 7' is formed as an arch, having more or less a U-profile with two upright legs and a horizontal part connecting the lower ends of the upright legs. Other shapes are also possible. For example, the horizontal part could connect the two upright legs at their upper ends or at intermediate portions thereof or combinations thereof. A single rear leg 7 is also possible, the position and design of which have to be considered to ensure sufficient stability of the seating arrangement 100. A frame work 12 for a seat cushion is mounted to the supporting plates 1. It can be either a single frame work 12 covering both supporting plates 1 and being intended for two seat cushions or it can be provided as two separate frame works 12 intended for one seat cushion each. The reason for having both supporting plates 1 and separate seat cushion frame work 12 is that while the supporting plate 1 can have a standard design for all intended uses, the frame work 12 can be adapted to the specific needs of the customers. The frame work 12 will be at least partly visible even when a seat cushion is fit to it and it is therefore convenient to have the facility of choosing a frame work 12 with a suitable appearance. Also, with this solution it is possible to satisfy different users having varying wishes when it comes to the size of the seat. A rear edge of the frame work 12 has a shape matching that of a lower edge of the back rest 6, 6' such that when the back rest 6, 6' is in its upright position this lower edge of the back rest 6, 6' abuts on the rear edge of the frame work 12 in order to provide the back rest 6, 6' with further stability. Concerning the seat cushions they can be of different configurations and be made from many different materials depending on the intended use and the requirements of a user. Suitable surface materials include among other wood, steel, aluminium, leather, cloth and PVC-coated fabric. Upholstery may also be used if necessary. Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a seating arrangement 200 according to the invention. The construction of this seating arrangement 200 is similar to that shown in figure 1 , described above, but here only one seating is provided on the one side of the front supporting beam 2. Also, the seating arrangement 200 differs from that shown in figure 1 in that instead of having a two-part supporting beam for providing in-depth adjustability of the seating, an alternative base plate 50 is provided to achieve this. The base plate 50 comprises a guiding plate having a C-shaped cross-section arranged to be fixed to a flooring or to a table construction. This guiding plate is arranged to guide and support a sliding member 52 which is pivotally connected to a lower part of the supporting beam 2. The free length of the guiding plate 51 together with the length of the sliding member 52 determine the available in- depth adjustability of the seating arrangement 200. Typically, the guiding plate 51 will be made of thin sheet metal, possibly with a friction reducing surface treatment on relevant surfaces, but the guiding plate 51 can also be made from plastics. The sliding member 52 can be made of for example plastics or metal. To adjust the in-depth position of the seating a user only have to push or pull the seating to the desired position. It is also possible to mount the base plate 50 in a recess in the floor, so that an upper side of the base plate 50 is on level with the floor. This has aesthetical as well as functional advantages. For example, with the base plate 50 positioned in a recess there is a smaller risk that a person will stumble over it and possibly get hurt. Furthermore, cleaning is facilitated by this solution. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention with an alternative solution to the guiding plate. Here, instead of using a sliding member positioned within a C-shaped guiding plate, a T-profile 53 is provided on top of a substantially flat guiding plate 51. The sliding member 52 comprises a recess having a complimentary cross-section to that of the T- profile 53. Of course, profiles and complimentary recesses having other cross-sections are imaginable.

In figure 4 an embodiment of a seating arrangement 400 according to the present inventive concept is shown. A gas spring 13 is attached to the sliding member 52 and to the front supporting beam 2. This gas spring 13 assists a user when stowing the seating arrangement 400 away. The gas spring 13 may be lockable in an extended position so that the seating arrangement remains safely in its stowed away position. Locking and unlocking of the gas spring can be actuated by an actuator button (not shown in the figures) positioned at the rear parts of the underside of the frame work 12 for simple handling. Figure 5 shows the seating arrangement 400 with the gas spring in its extended position.

Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view from behind of an embodiment of a seating arrangement 500 according to the invention and figure 6a shows an enlarged cut-away view of an embodiment of the gear arrangement 9 according to the invention. It should be noted that some details of the seating arrangement 500 have been left out to better emphasize the gear arrangement 9. Referring now to figure 6a the gear arrangement 9 will be discussed in greater detail. The gear arrangement 9 comprises a first gear 10 coupled to the back rests 6, 6', from which only the left one can be seen in the figure, through a first shaft 14 and a second gear 11 coupled to the rear supporting leg 7, 7's through a second shaft 15. The first and second shafts 14, 15 are carried in bearing supports 16, 16' located within the supporting beam 2 and in inner bearing arrangements 17, 18 mounted on the supporting plate 1 . Internal tooth lock washers 19, or similar, shown here only on the second shaft 15, may be used to avoid axial displacement of the shafts 14, 15. The shafts 14, 15 can be carried in glide bearing bushings or ball bearings provided in the bearing supports 16, 16' and in the inner bearing arrangements 17, 18. As the rotational speed of the shafts 14, 15 is fairly low, the shafts 14, 15 can also be carried directly in the bearing supports 16, 16' and in the inner bearing arrangements 17, 18. The shafts 14, 15 and the inner bearing arrangements 17, 18 are typically made from metal and the bearing supports 16, 16' can be made from either plastics or metal, possibly with a grease fitting to ensure low friction and to avoid creaking. The inner bearing arrangement 18 for the second shaft 15 is also provided with a limit stop 20 for the rear supporting leg 7, 7' which will provide the necessary stability to the seating arrangement 500 when a user sits on it. A corresponding limit stop 20 is provided at an outer bearing arrangement not shown here.

Figures 7 and 8 shows an embodiment of a seating arrangement 600 according to the invention in its ready to use position and in a stowed away position respectively. In the ready to use position the seating arrangement 600 provides a user with a seating comfort fully comparable to that of normal, loose chairs. In the stowed away position the seating arrangement is completely hidden under a table top so that people on board e.g. a boat can move about freely when not sitting at the table, and the seating arrangement is at all time safely secured to either a floor or a table construction.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in a seating arrangement with only one seat, the front supporting beam must not necessarily be provided at a lateral position of the seating arrangement. Instead, it can be positioned under the supporting plate, preferably in a central position. The gear arrangement will remain within the rear part of the front supporting beam and have a similar construction to that with a lateral front supporting beam. In order for the front supporting beam not to interfere with a person using the seating arrangement, the horizontal part of the front supporting beam could be made as short as possible, while still providing enough space for the gear arrangement.

Claims

1. Seating arrangement comprising

- a supporting beam (2);

- at least one supporting plate (1 ) mounted to the supporting beam (2);

- a rear supporting leg (7, V)

- a back rest (6, 6') wherein the back rest (6, 6') and the rear supporting leg (7, 7') are pivotally mounted to the supporting beam (2) and wherein the back rest (6, 6') and the rear supporting leg (7, V) are pivotally connected to each other by means of a gear arrangement (9).

2. Seating arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a base plate is pivotally connected to a lower part of the supporting beam (2).

3. Seating arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the gear arrangement (9) comprises a first gear (10) mounted to the back rest

(6, 6') and a second gear (11 ) mounted to the rear supporting leg (7, 7') and wherein said gears (10, 11 ) mesh with each other.

4. Seating arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting beam (2) comprises a an inner beam (3) and an outer beam (4), wherein the outer beam (4) encircles the inner beam (3) and wherein the outer beam (4) can be displaced along the inner beam (3) and wherein the at least one supporting plate (1 ) is mounted to the outer beam (4).

5. Seating arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the gears are carried by the supporting beam (2).

6. Seating arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein a frame work (12) for a seat cushion is mounted to said at least one supporting plate (1 ) and wherein a rear edge of the frame work (12) is arranged to abut the back rest (6, 6') in an upright position of the back rest (6, 6').

7. Seating arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the seating arrangement comprises two supporting plates (1 ) mounted on either side of the outer beam (4).

8. Table comprising at least one seating arrangement according to any of the preceding claims.