EP3095353B1 - Gas spring device for adjusting the height of a chair, and chair with such a gas spring device - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gas spring device for adjusting the height of a chair, in particular a high chair, swivel chair or office chair, and a chair with such a gas spring device.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

In height-adjustable chairs so far a gas spring is used, as for example in the DE 296 08 147 U1 is disclosed. There, a chair column has a guide tube attached to a base, which is provided at its upper open end with a guide bush. In the guide tube, a length-adjustable gas spring is arranged, whose housing is guided displaceably in the guide bush in the direction of a common central longitudinal axis. From the housing down a piston rod is led out, the free end is supported by means of an axial bearing on a bottom of the guide tube and secured thereto by means of a fastener.

From the EP 2 868 230 A1 Also, a height adjustment device for a chair is known, wherein the height adjustment device comprises a gas spring device, which is coupled to a seat of the chair for height adjustment of the seat.

With gas springs for height adjustment of chairs, the problem arises here that a chair and thus a user of the chair can be electrostatically charged in particular due to static electricity. Accordingly, such a height-adjustable chair can be used only in those areas in which an electrostatic charge through the chair does not affect the activity of a user of the chair. For areas, like For example, clean room work areas, etc., however, such an electrostatic chargeable chair is not suitable.

This is a condition to be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a gas spring device for adjusting the height of a chair, which counteracts an electrostatic charging of the chair and a user of the chair.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a gas spring device having the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a chair having the features of patent claim 13.

• eine Gasfederanordnung,
• ein erstes rohrförmiges Element aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material, in welchem die Gasfederanordnung aufgenommen ist,
• ein zweites rohrförmiges Element aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material, wobei das zweite rohrförmige Element eine Führungseinrichtung aufweist, in welcher das erste rohrförmige Element aufgenommen ist, wobei die Führungseinrichtung elektrisch nicht leitfähig oder nur geringfügig leitfähig ist;
• ein drittes rohrförmiges Element aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material, welches eine Lagerung, insbesondere aus einem elektrisch nicht leitfähigen oder nur geringfügig leitfähigen Material aufweist, zur Lagerung des zweiten rohrförmigen Elements,
• wobei die Führungseinrichtung derart mit wenigstens einem ersten Verbindungselement aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material versehen ist, dass das erste Verbindungselement in Kontakt mit dem ersten rohrförmigen Element und mit dem zweiten rohrförmigen Element ist, und
• wobei ein zweites Verbindungselement aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material zwischen dem zweiten rohrförmigen Element und dem dritten rohrförmigen Element derart vorgesehen ist, die Lagerung zu überbrücken und eine elektrisch leitfähige Verbindung zwischen dem zweiten rohrförmigen Element und dem dritten rohrförmigen Element bereitzustellen.

Accordingly, it is provided:
Gas spring device for a chair, in particular a swivel chair, an office chair or a high chair, comprising:

• a gas spring arrangement,
• a first tubular element made of an electrically conductive material, in which the gas spring arrangement is accommodated,
• a second tubular member made of an electrically conductive material, the second tubular member having a guide means in which the first tubular member is received, wherein the guide means is electrically non-conductive or only slightly conductive;
• a third tubular element of an electrically conductive material, which has a bearing, in particular made of an electrically non-conductive or only slightly conductive material, for supporting the second tubular element,
• wherein the guide means is provided with at least one first connecting member made of an electrically conductive material such that the first connecting member is in contact with the first tubular member and with the second tubular member, and
• wherein a second connecting member of an electrically conductive material is provided between the second tubular member and the third tubular member so as to bridge the bearing and provide an electrically conductive connection between the second tubular member and the third tubular member.

The gas spring device has the advantage that by means of the first connecting element and the second connecting element made of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal, the guide device and the bearing of an electrically non-conductive or only slightly conductive material bridged and an electric charge via the gas spring device to the chair and can be dissipated via a grounding of the chair, for example, in the ground. As a result, a static charging of the chair is prevented, so that the chair can also be used for example in work environments in which a static charge of the chair is undesirable, especially in clean room areas, etc.

Furthermore, a chair is provided with such a height adjustment device.

The knowledge / idea on which the present invention is based consists of bridging an electrically nonconductive or insufficiently electrically conductive guide of the jacket tube element of the gas spring device and an electrically nonconductive or insufficiently electrically conductive mounting of the intermediate tube element by means of a first and second electrically conductive connecting element, so that an electric charge can be derived from the casing pipe element to the outside on the standpipe element and from there, for example, via a grounding of the chair is passed into the ground.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bearing has an upper sliding bearing and a lower sliding bearing, wherein the upper and the lower sliding bearing are in particular made of at least one plastic or have at least one plastic. This plastic does not include any additionally electrically conductive plastic, such as high-resistance plastics, in which the plastic an electrically conductive material is added. Such slide bearings made of plastic have the advantage that a simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second tubular element has a flange on the outside. For example, a spiral spring is arranged between the flange and the lower sliding bearing. The second connection element is for example arranged between the flange and the upper end of the coil spring or between the lower end of the coil spring and the lower sliding bearing. The arrangement of the second connecting element between the lower end of the spiral spring and the lower sliding bearing has the advantage that the second connecting element is not moved during operation of the chair and in particular in a height adjustment of the chair, so that no additional friction is caused.

In another embodiment of the invention, the second connection element is a metal element, e.g. a metal disk. The metal disc has on its outer periphery at least one projection, in particular a nose, which is in the installed state in permanent contact with the third tubular element. The projection and in particular the nose lies with the outer edge or outside, e.g. flat or at least linear to the third rohrfömigen contact.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a compensation ring of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal, is arranged between the flange and the upper end of the spiral spring. In this case, the spiral spring can be prestressed by the compensating ring and furthermore an electrically conductive path can be produced between the second tubular element or intermediate tube element, its flange, the spiral spring and the metal element as a second connecting element.

In one embodiment of the invention, a washer is attached to the outer periphery of the second tubular member and forms the flange, the washer in particular of an electrically conductive material such as metal. A metal washer has the advantage that it can be very easily attached to the second tubular element made of metal, for example by welding, thereby the second tubular element can be inexpensively provided with the flange. Likewise, however, the flange can also be formed integrally with the second tubular element.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the guide means is a one-piece sleeve or a longitudinally divided into at least two shell elements formed sleeve, wherein the shell elements are fastened to each other. The one-piece sleeve or at least one shell element of the two-part sleeve has an opening for receiving the first connection element. In this way, the sleeve can easily be bridged as a guide device and the first connection element can be in contact with the first tubular element and the second tubular element, in particular in permanent contact.

In another embodiment of the invention, the one-piece or two-part sleeve has ribs, in particular longitudinal ribs, on its outer circumference. The opening is preferably arranged between two ribs for receiving the first connecting element. The ribs have the advantage that they can additionally support the connecting element laterally.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first connecting element is a spring element, wherein the spring element is in particular made of metal. By the spring element can a sliding contact can be made and, furthermore, a contact with the first and second tubular elements during operation of the gas spring device can be ensured very easily.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a spacer sleeve is arranged between the upper sliding bearing and the flange. Thereby, the gas spring device can be set with different heights.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one damper element is arranged between the upper slide bearing and the flange or between the spacer sleeve and the flange. In this way, the gas spring device can be additionally attenuated during operation and unwanted noise can be suppressed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first tubular element is a jacket tube element, the second tubular element is an intermediate tube element and the third tubular element is a standpipe element. In this case, the jacket tube element, the intermediate tube element and / or the standpipe element may be made of metal as an electrically conductive material. This has the advantage that these components are electrically conductive, very simple and inexpensive to manufacture and particularly stable.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments.

In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines Stuhls mit einer Gasfedervorrichtung zur Höhenverstellung des Stuhls;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht einer Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Gasfedervorrichtung, wie sie bei dem Stuhl in Fig. 1 zur Höhenverstellung einsetzbar ist;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

ein Ausschnitt C, mit Teilschnittansicht, der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

ein Ausschnitt A, mit Teilschnittansicht, der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht einer Hülse der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 8

eine Längsschnittansicht der Hülse gemäß Fig. 7;

Fig. 9

eine Querschnittansicht der Hülse gemäß Fig. 7;

Fig. 10

eine Draufsicht auf das Federelement der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht des Federelements gemäß Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf den Ausgleichsring gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 13

eine Schnittansicht A-A des Ausgleichsrings gemäß Fig. 12; und

Fig. 14

eine Draufsicht eines Scheibenelements der Gasfedervorrichtung gemäß Fig. 3.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a view of a chair with a gas spring device for height adjustment of the chair;

Fig. 2

a view of an embodiment of a gas spring device according to the invention, as in the chair in Fig. 1 can be used for height adjustment;

Fig. 3

a sectional view of the gas spring device according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a section C, with a partial sectional view of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

a section A, with a partial sectional view of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6

an exploded view of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 7

a view of a sleeve of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 8

a longitudinal sectional view of the sleeve according to Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a cross-sectional view of the sleeve according to Fig. 7 ;

Fig. 10

a plan view of the spring element of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 11

a side view of the spring element according to Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

a plan view of the balance ring according to Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 13

a sectional view AA of the balancing ring according to Fig. 12 ; and

Fig. 14

a plan view of a disc member of the gas spring device according to Fig. 3 ,

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a view of a height adjustable by means of a gas spring device 10 according to the invention chair. The one in the example in Fig. 1 In addition to such a high chair 1 as a chair can be provided according to the invention but also any other chair with the gas spring device 10 according to the invention for height adjustment, especially office chairs, swivel chairs, etc ..

The in Fig. 1 shown by the gas spring device 10 according to the invention height-adjustable chair has a seat 2, which may be optionally additionally rotatable. The seat 2 may be provided, for example, with a cover with additional metal threads or in the case of a leather cover with additional metal rivets, wherein the metal rivets are electrically conductively connected via at least one strand in a foam padding of the seat 2 with the chair mechanism. Furthermore, as in the embodiment in FIG Fig. 1 is shown, optionally an additional backrest 3 and optionally not shown armrests are provided. The backrest 3 and the armrests can likewise be designed to be electrically conductive, for example, with a cover with metal threads or metal rivets, or the armrests can be made, for example, of metal, etc. Furthermore, the highchair 1 has the gas spring device 10. The outer shell of the gas spring device 10 is the standpipe element 23, wherein the standpipe element 23 is in particular made of metal. This standpipe element 23 has in the in Fig. 1 embodiment shown a conical seat 4, which is pressed into the base 6. As a result, a secure conductive connection between the gas spring device 10 and the base 6 is produced. But it can also be any other kind of electrically conductive connection of the gas spring device 10 and the base 6 are provided. The base 6 is at its lower end in the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment provided with rollers 5. These have, as will be described below, an electrically conductive plastic on the grounding of the chair.

As in the embodiment in Fig. 1 is shown, the base 6 has a plurality of arms 7. At each arm 7, a roller 5 is fixed by means of which the chair 1 can be rolled. The chair with the gas spring device 10 according to the invention, however, does not necessarily have to be rollable and, accordingly, may also be non-rollable, depending on the function and intended use.

The in Fig. 1 As an example of a height-adjustable chair shown high chair 1 is used where, for example, in sitting and standing workplaces increased work surface is specified. In such a high chair, normally, the feet of a user of the chair do not reach the floor in the normal sitting position. Therefore, a high chair, like the one in Fig. 1 shown exemplary high chair 1, a climbing aid or foot receptacle, such as a foot ring 8, for the user. The aforementioned office chairs and swivel chairs, however, need no such foot receptacle, as they are intended for normal common working or table heights.

In order to prevent the chair and a user of the chair from being able to be charged electrostatically, the gas spring device 10 is designed such that it can dissipate an electrical charge which flows via the chair in turn can be derived in the soil. The chair is provided with a grounding.

In Fig. 2 is a view of a gas spring device 10 according to the invention for the height adjustment of a chair, as exemplified in Fig. 1 shown is shown. Fig. 3 shows here a longitudinal sectional view of the gas spring device 10 according to the invention Fig. 2 , In the 4 and 5 are each enlarged sections of the sectional view Fig. 3 shown. Fig. 6 again shows an exploded view of the gas spring device 10 according to Fig. 3 ,

The Gasfedervorrrichtung 10 has a gas spring assembly 9, as in the embodiment in Fig. 3 . 4 . 5 and 6 is shown, which is arranged in a jacket tube element 11. In the gas spring device 10, for example, a rigid-lockable gas spring assembly 9 is installed. As a rigid-blockable gas spring assembly 9, for example, a rigid-blockable gas spring assembly 9 type 2 can be used, in which the gas chamber of the spring is in the upper region of the gas spring assembly 9. Likewise, for example, a rigid-lockable gas spring assembly 9 of type 3 can be used, in which the gas chamber of the spring is in the lower region of the gas spring assembly 9.

The jacket tube element 11 is made of metal, for example a metal alloy such as steel, etc., and guided in a first guide tube device 12. Furthermore, the jacket tube element 11 in the in Fig. 2, 3rd . 4, 5 and 6 shown embodiment, in addition to its longitudinal axis 13 rotatably received in the guide tube means 12 for providing a swivel chair or rotating office chair.

The guide tube device 12 is formed as a sleeve 14, in particular made of plastic, and has at least one opening 15 for receiving at least one spring element 16, in particular metal spring element, on. The spring element 16 forms, as will be explained below, a sliding contact. The sleeve 14 is received in an intermediate tube element 18. As in the embodiment in Fig. 3 is shown, the sleeve 14 at its upper end on a projection or a flange 17, with which the sleeve 14 rests against the upper end of the intermediate tube element 18. As a result, the sleeve 14 can not accidentally slip too deeply into the intermediate tube element 18. Additionally or alternatively, the sleeve 14 may be secured to the intermediate tube member 18 by at least one fastener, eg, a grub screw or a pin, etc. An embodiment of the sleeve 14 is shown in the following FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 , and an embodiment of the spring element 16 in the following 10 and 11 shown.

The intermediate tube element 18 is also made of metal, for example of a metal alloy such as steel, etc. In this case, the sleeve 14 is pressed into the intermediate tube element 18 and then processed the inside of the sleeve 14, for example, dug or rubbed to the sleeve 14 with a predetermined or defined Inner diameter form. After a relaxation of the sleeve 14, this is partially pushed out of the intermediate tube element 18 again to insert the spring element 16 in the associated opening 15 of the sleeve 14. Subsequently, the sleeve 14 is pushed back into the intermediate tube element 18 in its end position. By means of the spring element 16 is in this case a Contact, in particular a permanent contact or sliding contact, between the casing tube element 11 made of metal and the intermediate tube element 18 made of metal.

The intermediate tube member 18 has at its lower end a bottom 19, to which the gas spring assembly 9 is fixed with one end. The bottom 19 can, as in the embodiment in Fig. 3 is shown, for example, welded to the inside of the intermediate tube element 18. Likewise, two circumferential grooves, not shown, may be provided on the inside or the inner circumference of the intermediate tube element 18, in which a respective unillustrated associated locking ring or snap ring is inserted. Between the two circlips or snap rings while the soil is used.

For attachment of the gas spring assembly 9, the bottom 19 in the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment, an opening 20 through which the end of the gas spring assembly 9 is guided. The end of the gas spring assembly 9 is fastened via a lock washer 21 and a washer 22 arranged between the gas spring arrangement 9 and the lock washer 21.

In an alternative embodiment, not shown, bottom 19 may also have an opening with a thread into which the end of the gas spring assembly 9 is screwed to secure it to the bottom 19. But it can also be provided any other type of attachment which is suitable to attach the gas spring assembly to the bottom of the intermediate tube element.

As in the sectional view in Fig. 3 , the cutouts in 4 and 5 as well as the exploded view in Fig. 6 is shown, the intermediate pipe element 18 is mounted in a standpipe member 23 made of metal. The standpipe element 23 has a guide for the intermediate pipe element 18. As a guide is in the in Fig. 3 . 4 . 5 and 6 shown embodiment, an upper and a lower sliding bearing 24, 25 are provided. The two plain bearings 24, 25 are made for example of plastic. The upper sliding bearing 24 may, as in the in Fig. 3 and 4 shown embodiment, an additional projection or flange 26, with which it rests against the upper end of the standpipe member 23. Additionally or alternatively, the upper slide bearing 24 by at least one fastening means, such as a grub screw or a pin, in particular high-tension pin 27, attached to the standpipe member 23, as in the embodiment in Fig. 3 . 4 and 6 is shown. The lower sliding bearing 25 in turn rests on a bottom 28 of the standpipe element 23. The bottom 28 may be attached to the standpipe member 23 as a separate part, for example, be welded to the standpipe member 23 as in the embodiment in Fig. 3 is shown. However, any other type of attachment of the floor 28 to the standpipe element 23 may be provided. Likewise, the floor can be formed integrally with the standpipe element 23.

Furthermore, in the in Fig. 3 . 4 and 6 shown embodiment, an optional spacer sleeve 29 made of plastic below the upper slide bearing 24 is provided. This spacer sleeve 29 serves to set or limit the extension height of the gas spring device 10. However, the spacer sleeve 29 may also be omitted, for example if a maximum possible extension height of the gas spring device to be provided. Likewise, instead of the spacer sleeve 29, a wider upper sliding bearing 24 can be used.

On the outside of the intermediate tube element 18, a washer 30, for example made of metal, is fastened, for example welded, below the upper slide bearing 24, as in the exemplary embodiment in FIG Fig. 3 . 4 and 6 is shown. This washer 30 serves, together with the intermediate tube element 18 to which it is attached, to compress a coil spring 31, which is arranged on the outside of the intermediate tube element 18 between the upper and lower slide bearings 24, 25, in the unloaded case of the chair. When the chair is loaded, the washer 30 attached to the intermediate pipe element 18 has the task of further extending the loading forces on the spiral spring 31, which is further compressed. Depending on the loading force, the intermediate pipe element 18 with the gas spring arrangement 9 installed therein moves downwards. The coil spring 31 is made of metal. The intermediate pipe element 18 can be optionally additionally greased on its outside in the region of the spiral spring 31. In this case, a preferably continuous and as uniform as possible, not shown fat layer on the outside of the intermediate tube element 18 may be provided.

In the in Fig. 3 . 4 and 6 shown embodiment, between the spacer sleeve 29 and the washer 30 further comprises an optional damping element 32, for example, a rubber damper disc arranged.

Below the washer 30 or between the washer 30 and the coil spring 31 is also in the in Fig. 3 . 4 and 6 shown an optional compensation ring 33 arranged. This balancing ring 33 is made of metal, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy or steel or another electrically conductive material, and serves to bias the coil spring 18 against the lower sliding bearing 25 and a metal element 34 arranged on the lower sliding bearing 25. The compensation ring 33 preferably has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the standpipe element 23. The same applies to the washer 30 and the damping element 32, in order to avoid rubbing against the inside of the standpipe element 23. The spacer sleeve 29 does not move. It is for example pressed into the standpipe element 23. The balancing ring 33 further causes the coil spring 18 to be permanently in contact with the balancing ring 33 made of metal and the metal element 34. The balancing ring 33 is further in subsequent ones FIGS. 12 and 13 shown.

The metal element 34 is in the embodiment in the Fig. 3 . 5 and 6 formed as a metal disc 35, which has at least one protruding nose 36 on the outer circumference, as in the following Fig. 14 is shown. The metal disk 35 with its at least one nose 36 is designed such that the nose 36 is in contact, in particular permanent contact, with the inside of the standpipe member 23. In this way, a connection, in particular permanent connection, between the casing tube element 11 made of metal and the standpipe member 23 made of metal and the two plain bearings 24, 25 bridged from plastic. This will accomplish that static charge of the gas spring device 10 can be prevented because an electric charge can be dissipated by the gas spring device 10 by a contact on the one hand via the spring element 16 made of metal, in particular a sliding contact, between the casing tube element 11 made of metal and the intermediate tube element 18 made of metal , wherein the sleeve 14 can be bridged from plastic. On the other hand, the intermediate tube member 18 is made of metal, via the washer 30 made of metal, the balance ring 33 made of metal, the coil spring 31 made of metal and the metal member 34 in turn with the standpipe member 23 made of metal in contact, especially in permanent contact, so that the two plain bearings 24, 25 can be bridged from plastic. In this way, a static charge of the gas spring device 10 can be discharged from the casing tube member 11 to the outside of the standpipe member 23 and derived from there via the grounding of the chair into the ground. By arranging the metal element 34, for example the metal disc 35 with at least one lug 36, on the lower sliding bearing 25 and between the coil spring 31 and the lower sliding bearing 25, the metal disc 35 remains stationary during operation of the chair 1 or forms a fixed part. This can be ensured by the metal plate 35, a permanent connection for dissipating electrical energy via the intermediate tube member 18 to the standpipe member 23 without the metal plate 35 is moved when using the chair 1 and operating the gas spring device 10, which otherwise in unwanted noise and friction would result.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 is that before in Fig. 1 shown base 6 greatly simplified and purely schematic with a indicated by dashed line. This in Fig. 1 shown base 6 is also formed with a plurality of arms 7 being attached to the arms, for example, roles are attached to the rolling of the chair. The base which is formed by the standpipe element 23 is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal.

Furthermore, the rollers provided on the arms of the base cross 6 are eg made of an additionally electrically conductive plastic or high-resistance plastic. In this way, a grounding of the chair 1 and a discharge of electrical energy via the gas spring device 10, the base 6 and its roles in the ground, so that an electric charge of the chair 1 can be effectively prevented.
In Fig. 7 a view of the sleeve 14 is shown. Fig. 8 again represents a longitudinal section AA and Fig. 9 a cross section BB of the sleeve 14 according to Fig. 7 In the in the FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 14 has longitudinal ribs 37 on its outer circumference. Between two of the longitudinal ribs 37, the at least one opening 15 is provided, in which the associated spring element, not shown, can be used to provide a contact, in particular sliding contact, between the jacket tube element and the intermediate tube element.

By providing the opening 15 between two ribs 37, as in FIG Fig. 3 is shown, the spring element, when it is inserted into the opening 15, additionally stabilized or held laterally and accidental slipping out of the opening 15 or dislocation of the spring element in the opening 15 can be prevented. By means of the longitudinal ribs 37, the sleeve 14 can easily into the intermediate tube element Pressed and temporarily pushed out for insertion of the spring element from the intermediate pipe element in the short term again. Furthermore, the sleeve 14 in the in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 shown embodiment, the optional flange 17 for resting on the intermediate tube element. The sleeve 14 is made of plastic, for example. However, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment of the sleeve 14. Likewise, instead of longitudinal ribs 37, the sleeve 14 may also be provided with ribs, not shown extending in the circumferential or transverse direction, or may have no ribs and a constant wall thickness.

In an alternative, not shown embodiment, the sleeve 14 as a guide tube means additionally or alternatively may be formed in two parts in the longitudinal direction and two shell elements or half-shell elements which are fastened to each other. The two shell elements have in a region of their upper and lower end on the inside in each case a recess, for example a groove which, when the shell elements are fastened to each other, forms a circumferential or annular recess. In the circumferential or annular recess, for example, a circumferential groove, a guide ring or plain bearing ring is receivable. The guide ring or slide bearing ring is made for example of a sintered material and / or plastic. Such guide or plain bearing rings are sold, for example as iglidur® plastic plain bearings from IGUS. The two shell elements are in turn made of plastic, for example by injection molding. The shell elements may also be formed with ribs on their outer periphery, such as those in FIG FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 shown one-piece sleeve. Furthermore, at least one of the shell elements has the at least one opening for receiving an associated spring element.

In Fig. 10 is further a plan view and in Fig. 11 a side view of the spring element 16 is shown. The spring element 16 is made of metal as described above. As in Fig. 11 is shown, the spring element 16 is formed for example as an elongated metal strip which bears resiliently against the intermediate tube element and forms a sliding contact with this. The spring element 16 has, for example, a plurality of resilient sections 38, for example three, as in the embodiment in FIG 10 and 11 is shown. However, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment of a spring element 16. There may be provided any other spring element 16 made of metal, which is suitable to be connected to the sleeve such that a permanent connection between the jacket tube element and the intermediate tube element is given by the spring element for bridging the plain bearings made of plastic.

In Fig. 12 is a plan view of the balance ring 33 and in Fig. 13 a sectional view AA of the balancing ring 33 is shown. As previously described, the compensating collar 33 is disposed below the washer or between the washer and the coil spring. In the embodiment, as previously described in the Fig. 3 and 4 is shown, the washer is welded to the intermediate pipe element and the weld seam is formed on the side of the balancing ring 33. Accordingly, the balance ring 33 is preferably provided with a corresponding recess or bevel 39 on its inner periphery be as in the embodiment in the Fig. 3 . 4 . 12 and 13 is shown, for receiving the weld, so that the compensation ring 33 may, for example, flush or as flush as possible abut the washer. However, the invention is not limited to this special embodiment of the balancing ring 33. The compensation ring 33 has the advantage that it covers the weld on the flange 26 and the coil spring 31 can rest against the compensation ring 33 over the entire surface.

Furthermore, in Fig. 14 a plan view of the metal element 34 is shown. The metal element 34 is in the embodiment in Fig. 14 and previously in the Fig. 3 . 5 and 6 , formed as a metal disc 35, which has one or more projections 36 projecting on the outer periphery. The metal disk 35 with their noses 36, as in Fig. 14 is shown, is formed such that the lugs 36 are always in contact with the inside of the standpipe element with built-metal disc 34 in order to provide a connection, in particular permanent connection, with the jacket tube element made of metal. In an alternative embodiment not shown, instead of having one or more lugs, the metal disk may also be formed with an outside diameter which corresponds to the inside diameter of the standpipe element in order to provide a permanent contact with the standpipe element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

high chair

2

Seat

3

backrest

4

conical seat

5

role

6

footbase

7

poor

8th

anklet

9

A gas spring assembly

10

Gas spring means

11

Casing element

12

guide means

13

longitudinal axis

14

shell

15

opening

16

spring element

17

Flange (sleeve)

18

Intermediate pipe element

19

ground

20

opening

21

lock washer

22

washer

23

Standpipe element

24

Upper plain bearing

25

lower plain bearing

26

flange

27

High tension pin

28

Floor (standpipe element)

29

Stand Off

30

washer

31

spiral spring

32

damper element

33

compensation ring

34

metal element

35

metal disc

36

nose

37

longitudinal rib

38

resilient section

39

bevel

Claims (15)

1. Gas spring device (10) for a chair, in particular a rotating chair, an office chair or a high chair, comprising:

   a gas spring arrangement (9),

   a first tubular element (11) that is embodied from an electrically-conductive material in which the gas spring arrangement (9) is received,

   a second tubular element (18) that is embodied from an electrically-conductive material, wherein the second tubular element (18) comprises a guiding device (14) in which the first tubular element (11) is received, wherein the guiding device (14) is not electrically conductive or is only slightly conductive;

   a third tubular element (23) that is embodied from electrically conductive material, which comprises a mounting arrangement (24, 25), in particular that is embodied from an electrically non-conductive material or from an only slightly conductive material, for mounting the second tubular element (18),

   wherein the guiding device (14) is provided with at least one first connecting element (16), which is embodied from an electrically conductive material, in such a manner that the first connecting element (16) is in contact with the first tubular element (11) and with the second tubular element (18), and

   wherein a second connecting element (34, 35, 36) that is embodied from an electrically-conductive material is provided between the second tubular element (18) and the third tubular element (23) so as to bridge the mounting arrangement (24, 25) and to provide an electrically-conductive connection between the second tubular element (18) and the third tubular element (23).
2. Gas spring device according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the mounting arrangement comprises an upper slide bearing (24) and a lower slide bearing (25), wherein the upper and the lower slide bearing (24, 25) are in particular produced from at least one synthetic material or comprise at least one synthetic material.
3. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the second tubular element (18) comprises a flange (26) on the outer side, wherein a coil spring (31) is arranged between the flange (26) and the lower slide bearing (25), and wherein the second connecting element (34, 35, 36) is arranged between the flange (26) and the upper end of the coil spring (31) or between the lower end of the coil spring (31) and the lower slide bearing (25).
4. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the second connecting element is a metal element (34) and is in particular a metal disc (35), wherein the metal disc (35) comprises on its outer circumference at least one projection, in particular a lug (36), which in the installed state is in permanent contact with the third tubular element (23).
5. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a spacing ring (33) that is embodied from an electrically-conductive material, in particular metal, is arranged between the flange (26) and the upper end of the coil spring (31).
6. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   a washer (30) is fastened to the outer circumference of the second tubular element (18) and forms the flange (26), wherein the washer (30) is in particular embodied from metal.
7. Gas spring device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the guiding device (12) is a single-part sleeve (14) or a sleeve that is embodied as divided in the longitudinal direction into at least two shell elements, wherein the shell elements may be fastened to one another, and wherein the sleeve (14) or at least one shell element of the sleeve comprises an opening (15) for receiving the first connecting element (16).
8. Gas spring device according to Claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the sleeve (14) comprises on its outer circumference ribs, in particular longitudinal ribs (37), and the opening (15) is preferably arranged between two ribs (37) so as to receive the first connecting element (16).
9. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the first connecting element is a spring element (16), wherein the spring element (16) is in particular embodied from metal.
10. Gas spring device according to any one of claims 2 to 9,
    characterised in that
    a spacing sleeve (29) is arranged between the upper slide bearing (24) and the flange (26).
11. Gas spring device according to any one of claims 2 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the at least one damping element (32) is arranged between the upper slide bearing (24) and the flange (26) or between the spacing sleeve (29) and the flange (26).
12. Gas spring device according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that
    the first tubular element comprises a jacketed tubular element (11), the second tubular element is an intermediate tubular element (18) and the third tubular element is a standing tubular element (23), wherein the jacketed tubular element (11), the intermediate tubular element (18) and/or the standing tubular element (23) are embodied from metal as an electrically conductive material.
13. Chair (1) having a gas spring device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular a high chair, a rotating chair or an office chair.
14. Chair according to Claim 13,
    characterised in that
    the chair (1) comprises an electrical earthing arrangement.
15. Chair according to any one of claims 13 or 14,
    characterised in that
    the chair comprises a cruciform base (6), wherein the cruciform base (6) is coupled in an electrically conductive manner to the third tubular element (23) of the gas spring device (10) and wherein the chair (1) preferably comprises rollers (5) that are embodied from a high-resistance synthetic material.

Images