FI128205B

FI128205B - A swing support device for a chair

Info

Publication number: FI128205B
Application number: FI20185915A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Veli-Jussi Jalkanen
Original assignee: Easydoing Oy
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2019-12-31
Also published as: WO2020089529A1; EP3873301A1; FI20185915A1

Abstract

The swing support device comprises a frame part (310) provided with a longitudinal centre line (L3) and a first opening (330) extending in the direction of the longitudinal centre line of the frame part through the frame part. A muff (610), being at least partially resilient, is positioned in the first opening and provided with a second opening (660) extending in the direction of the longitudinal centre line of the frame part through the muff. An outer surface of the muff is provided with at least one recess (620, 630), receiving a stiff compression plate (640, 650). An actuator (500) extends into contact with the compression plate in order to either increase the stiffness of the muff or decrease the stiffness of the muff be regulating the compression force of the compression plate.

Description

A SWING SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A CHAIR

FIELD

The invention relates to a swing support device for a chair.

The invention may be used in a traditional chair provided with a back support as well as in a saddle chair.

A traditional chair may comprise a seat, a back support, a support cylinder and a chair base. The support cylinder may extend between the chair base and the seat of the chair. The support cylinder may be a gas cylinder providing height adjustment of the seat. The chair base may be provided with 10 casters. The casters enable moving around and reaching out for objects while sitting on the chair.

A saddle chair may use the same principles in its design as an equestrian saddle. A saddle chair may comprise a seat in the form of a saddle, a support cylinder and a chair base. The support cylinder may be a gas 15 cylinder providing height adjustment of the saddle. The chair base may be provided with casters. Saddle chairs do not normally have a backrest. A saddle chair may be provided with a swing support device allowing the seat to swing in relation to the support cylinder. Accessories, such as elbow and wrist supports, are available for saddle chairs to make different work tasks easier.

A riding-like sitting on a saddle chair differs from sitting on a traditional chair. Saddle chair users usually sit about 20-30 cm higher, which puts the hips and the knees into an angle of about 135 degrees. This angle is typically 90 degrees when sitting on a traditional chair.

The seat of a saddle chair may be solid or divided. A divided seat 25 reduces pressure on the perineum and lowers the temperature in the genital area. A divided seat is thought to be healthier, especially for men, compared to a solid seat. Saddle chairs with divided seats may have an adjustable gap between the two seat parts.

US 2013/0241253 discloses a resistive support mechanism. A 30 motion support mechanism, for example for a chair, joined to a mounting surface and to a base for providing resistive support to the mounting surface as the mounting surface undergoes rotational and/or tilt movement relative to the base. The motion support mechanism includes a support bearing connected to the mounting surface and to the base which permits tilting and/or 35 rotational motion of the mounting surface relative to the base, a pivot ball sized

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 fixedly attached to a portion of the base, and, a resistance cartridge fixedly connected to the mounting surface such that the resistance cartridge undergoes movement relative to the base and applies a resistive force on the base as the mounting surface undergoes rotational and/or tilt movement. The 5 resistance cartridge includes a cartridge housing and a resilient member in contact relation with the pivot ball and with a wall of the housing such that the resilient member is compressed by the relative movement between the resistance cartridge and the pivot ball to thereby provide the resistive support to the mounting surface. Preferably, the resistive support also provides a 10 dampening feature, for example by way of the resilient member being formed from a viscoelastic material. A means for varying the resistance applied is provided that permits the distance between the bearing surface and the pivot ball to be varied.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to achieve an improved swing support device for a chair.

The swing support device for a chair according to the invention is defined in claim 1.

The swing support device for the chair comprises a frame part provided with a longitudinal centre line and a first opening extending along the longitudinal centre line of the frame part through the frame part, a muff positioned in the first opening within the frame part, the muff being provided with a second opening extending along the longitudinal centre 25 line of the frame part through an inner portion of the muff and being adapted to receive a support cylinder of the chair, the muff comprising at least one recess provided on an outer surface of the muff, at least an outer portion of the muff being resilient, a compression plate positioned in the recess, the compression plate 30 being stiff, an actuator extending into contact with the compression plate in order to either increase the stiffness of the muff by increasing the compression force of the compression plate against the muff or decrease the stiffness of the muff by decreasing the compression force of the compression plate against the 35 muff.

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The swing support device provides a simple, reliable and cost effective support provided with swing for the seat of the chair. The stiffness of the swing of the seat of the chair is easily adjustable in order to get the best sitting ergonomics and to minimize the negative effects of the prolonged sitting.

The user leans on his/her feet when sitting on the saddle chair. The swing support device provides for a swing in all directions, but the major swing directions are backwards and forwards and to the left side and to the right side.

The same user may adjust the stiffness of the swing several times during his/her sitting e.g. depending on his/her duration of sitting and/or the 10 type of activity while sitting.

DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a saddle chair with a divided seat,

Figure 2 shows a top view of a bridge support device of a saddle chair with a divided seat,

Figure 3 shows a view of a locking device in the bridge support device of the saddle chair,

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of a locking device in the bridge support device of the saddle chair,

Figure 5 shows a dust cover to be used in the saddle chair,

Figure 6 shows a cross section of the support element of the dust cover,

Figure 7 shows a side view of a swing support device of a chair,

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of the swing support device,

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the swing support device, Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the swing support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a bottom view of a saddle chair with a divided seat.

The saddle chair 10 comprises a divided seat 20 having a first seat part 30 and a second seat part 40. The figure shows further a bridge support device 50 of the saddle chair 10.

The first seat part 30 comprises a first seat plate 35 and the second

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 seat part 40 comprises a second seat plate 45. The first seat part 30 and the second seat part 40 may be separated by a gap G1. A longitudinal centre line L1 of the saddle chair 10 may pass along the gap G1 between the first part 30 and the second part 40 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. The longitudinal 5 centre line L1 passes between a centre of a front edge 11 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 and a centre of a back edge 12 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. A vertical plane of symmetry P10 passes through the longitudinal centre line L10. The first seat part 30 and the second seat part 40 are positioned on opposite sides of the vertical plane of symmetry P10. The first 10 seat part 30 and the second seat part 40 may form mirror images of each other in view of the vertical plane of symmetry P10. The first seat part 30 and the second seat part 40 may be symmetric in relation to each other in view of the vertical plane of symmetry P10. The front edge 11 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 is positioned in the right upper corner in the figure and the back edge 15 12 of the saddle chair 10 is positioned in the left lower corner in the figure. A person sitting on the saddle chair 10 is thus sitting so that the front of the person is facing the front edge 11 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 and the back of the person is facing the back edge of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10.

The bridge support device 50 comprises a bottom plate 60, a first support plate 70, and a second support plate 80. The first support plate 70 is positioned on the bottom plate 60. The second support plate 80 is positioned on the first support plate 70. The first seat plate 35 in the first seat part 30 is supported on the first support plate 70. The second seat plate 45 in the second 25 seat part 40 is supported on the second support plate 80.

Figure 2 shows a view of a bridge support device of a saddle chair.

The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 may be movably supported on the bottom plate 60. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 may be movable in relation to each other and in 30 relation to the stationary bottom plate. A first pivot J1 may be provided on the bottom plate 60. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 may be movably supported on the bottom plate 60 via the first pivot J1.

The bottom plate 60 may comprise a first plate portion 61 and a second end portion 62. The second end portion 62 may extend upwards from 35 the first plate portion 61. The angle between the first portion 61 and the second end portion 62 may be 90 degrees. The bottom plate 60 may be formed of a

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 single plate whereby the second end portion 62 is formed by bending the end portion of the plate upwards. The second end portion 62 may be facing towards the front 11 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. A first edge 61A of the first portion 61 of the bottom plate 60 also forming a first edge of the 5 bottom plate 60 may be facing towards the back 12 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10.

The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 are thus rotatably supported on the bottom plate 60 with a common first pivot J1. The first pivot J1 may be positioned adjacent to the first edge 61A of the bottom 10 plate 60. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 are rotatable in relation to each other and in relation to the bottom plate 60 around the first pivot J1. Rotation of the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 in relation to each other makes it possible to adjust the gap G1 between the two seats 30, 40 in the divided seat 20 in the saddle chair 10. The 15 first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 may rotate along a circumference of a circle having the centre in the first pivot J1. An increase of the width of the gap G1 between the two seat parts 30, 40 at the front edge 11 of the seat 20 results in a decrease of the width of the gap G1 between the two seat parts 30, 40 of the seat 20 at the back edge 12 of the seat 20 and vice a 20 versa. The position of the first pivot J1 may be near the rear edge 12 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. The fact that the first pivot J1 is positioned near the back edge 12 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 results in a much greater decrease and/or increase of the gap G1 between the seat parts 30, 40 at the front edge 11 of the seat 20 compared to the decrease and/or increase 25 of the gap G1 between the seat parts 30, 40 at the back edge 12 of the seat 20.

The bridge support device 50 may further comprise an adjustment device 100 for moving the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 on the bottom plate 60. The first seat part 30 of the saddle chair 10 may be 30 attached to the first support plate 70 and the second seat part 40 of the saddle chair 10 may be attached to the second support plate 80. Rotation of the support parts 70, 80 in relation to each other around the first pivot J1 will adjust the gap G1 between the two seat parts 30, 40 of the saddle chair 10.

The adjustment device 100 may be a mechanical adjustment 35 device. The adjustment device 100 may comprise a rotatable first shaft 105, a first grip 110, a rotatable member 120, a first arm 130 and a second arm 140.

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The first shaft 105 may be supported in a hole 69 (shown in figure 3) extending through the second end portion 62 of the bottom plate 60. The support of the first shaft 105 on the bottom plate 60 should allow rotation of the first shaft 105.

The first grip 110 may be attached to a first end of the first shaft 105 outside the second portion 62 of the bottom plate 60. The rotatable member 120 may be attached to a second opposite end of the first shaft 105 inside the second end portion 62 of the bottom plate 60. Rotation of the first grip 110 rotates the first shaft 105 and thereby also the rotatable member 120. The first 10 grip 110 may be formed as a knob.

The first arm 130 may extend between the rotatable member 120 and the first support plate 70. Both ends of the first arm 130 may comprise pivots. The pivots may be formed as ball joints. A first end of the first arm 130 may be connected to rotatable member 120 and a second opposite end of the 15 first arm 130 may be connected to the first support plate 70.

The second arm 140 may extend between the rotatable member 120 and the second support plate 80. Both ends of the second arm 140 may comprise pivots. The pivots may be formed as ball joints. A first end of the second arm 140 may be connected to the rotatable member 120 and a second 20 opposite end of the second arm 140 may be connected to the second support plate 80.

The first end of the first arm 130 and the first end of the second arm 140 are connected to an outer portion of the rotatable member 120 at opposite sides of the first shaft 105. The first shaft 105 may be connected to a middle 25 portion of the rotatable member 120.

Rotation of the first grip 110 in a first direction i.e. counter-clockwise in the figure pushes the first arm 130 and the second arm 140 in opposite directions away from each other. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 will thus be turned in opposite directions away from each 30 other around the first pivot J1.

Rotation of the first grip 110 in a second opposite direction i.e. clockwise in the figure pulls the first arm 130 and the second arm 140 in opposite directions towards each other. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 will thus be turned in opposite directions towards each 35 other around the first pivot J1.

The first arm 130 and the second arm 140 also keep the first

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 on the bottom plate 60. It is thus not possible to lift the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 upwards away from the bottom plate 60.

The vertical plane of symmetry P10 may pass through a middle point of the first pivot J1 and through a centre axis of the first shaft 105. The bridge support device 50 may thus also be symmetrical in view of the vertical symmetry plane P10.

Figure 3 shows a top view and figure 4 shows a bottom view of a locking device in the bridge support device of the saddle chair.

The bottom plate 60 comprises a first plate portion 61 and a second end portion 62. The first plate portion 61 has a first edge 61A and a second opposite edge 61B. The second end portion 62 extends along the second edge 61B of the first plate portion 61.

The first support plate 70 may comprise a first plate portion 71 and a second side portion 72. The second side portion 72 may extend upwards from a side edge of the first plate portion 71. The angle between the first plate portion 71 and the second side portion 72 may be substantially 90 degrees. The first plate portion 71 may comprise a plate 71A and an arm 71B extending outwards from a middle portion of the plate 71 A. The first pivot J1 may be provided on an outer end of the arm 71B in the form of a hole for a screw. The plate 71A and the arm 71B may both extend in the same plane. The first support plate 70 may be formed of a single plate, whereby the second side portion 72 is formed by bending the plate so that a side portion extends upwards form the first plate portion 71. Opposite ends of the second side portion 72 may be bent outwards. An upper edge of the second side portion 72 of the first support plate 70 may be welded to the first seat plate 35 in the first seat part 30.

The second support plate 80 may comprise a first plate portion 81 and a second end portion 82. The second side portion 82 may extend upwards from a side edge of the first plate portion 81. The angle between the first plate portion 81 and the second side portion 82 may be substantially 90 degrees. The first plate portion 81 may comprise a plate 81A and an arm 81B extending outwards from a middle portion of the plate 81 A. The first pivot J1 may be provided on an outer end of the arm 81B in the form of a hole for a screw. The plate 81A and the arm 81B may both extend in the same plane. The second support plate 80 may be formed of a single plate, whereby the second side

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 portion 82 is formed by bending the plate so that a side portion extends upwards from the first plate portion 81. Opposite ends of the second side portion 82 may be bent outwards. An upper edge of the second side portion 82 of the second support plate 80 may be welded to the second seat plate 45 in 5 the second seat part 40.

The first pivot J1 on the bottom plate 60 may be realized with a screw 63 passing from the underside of the bottom plate 60 through a threaded hole in the bottom plate 60 and further through a plain hole in the first support plate 70 and still further through a plain hole in the second support 10 plate 80. The first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 may be supported on the first pivot J1 so that they are movable in relation to each other and in relation to the bottom plate 60. The threaded hole in the bottom plate 60 for the screw 63 may be positioned in the first plate portion 61 of the bottom plate 60. Said threaded hole may be positioned adjacent to a first edge 15 61A of the first plate portion 61 of the bottom plate 60. The first edge 61A and the second edge 61B of the first plate portion 61 of the bottom plate 60 may also form the first edge and the second edge of the bottom plate 60. The distance from the first edge 61A of the bottom plate 60 to the first pivot J1 may be 5 to 20%, advantageously 5 to 10% of the total length of the bottom plate 20 60 in the longitudinal direction L10 of the saddle chair 10. The first edge 61A of the bottom plate 60 may be near the rear edge 12 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. The second edge 61B of the bottom plate 60 may be at a distance from the front edge 11 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10.

The bridge support device 50 may further comprise a locking device 25 200 for locking and unlocking the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 in relation to each other and in relation to the bottom plate 60. Rotation of the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 is possible when the locking device 200 is in an unlocked position and prohibited when the locking device 200 is in a locked position.

The locking device 200 may be supported on the bottom plate 60.

The locking device 200 may be a mechanical locking device. The locking device 200 may comprise a handle 210, a second shaft 220, a lock profile 230, a screw 240, and two plungers 250, 260.

The handle 210 may comprise a base portion 211 and a grip portion 35 212.

The base portion 211 may comprise a hole 215 extending through

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 the base portion 211 in a direction being perpendicular to a longitudinal direction L2 of the handle 210. The through hole 215 may receive the second shaft 220. The base portion 211 may further comprise a first recess 216. The first recess 216 may be positioned in a middle portion of the base portion 211.

The first recess 216 may extend from and outer surface of the base portion 211 to the hole 215 inside the base portion 211. The first recess 216 may provide access for the screw 240 extending from the bottom plate 60 to the second shaft 220 positioned in the hole 215. The first recess 216 is wide enough to allow rotation of the base portion 211 around the second shaft 220 10 between an open position and a locked position.

The base portion 211 of the handle 210 may further comprise an eccentric bottom surface 211 A. The eccentric surface 211A may be positioned under the hole 215. The bottom surface 211A is eccentric in relation to an axial centre line of the second shaft 220.

The base portion 211 of the handle 210 may further be provided with a first groove 217 and a second groove 218 adapted to receive the spring loaded ball 251 of the plungers 250, 260. The grooves 216, 217 are positioned in the eccentric bottom surface 211A of the base portion 211 of the handle 210. The grooves 217, 218 run in a direction parallel to the longitudinal 20 direction of the hole 215 in the base part 211 of the handle 210. The grooves 217, 218 may extend across the whole width of the base portion 211 of the handle 210. The eccentric bottom surface 211A of the base portion 211 of the handle 210 seats against the curved support surface 231 of the lock profile 230. The eccentric bottom surface 211A will in the locked position of the 25 handle 210 press the lock profile 230 downwards against the second support plate 80 in order to lock the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 to the bottom plate 60.

The spring will press the spring loaded ball 251 into the respective groove 217, 218 with a certain spring force so that a greater force is needed in 30 order to rotate the handle 210 from the position in which the spring loaded balls 251 are in the respective grooves 217, 218. The user will get a haptic feedback from the handle when the spring loaded balls 251 in the plungers 250, 260 protrude into either groove 217, 218. The haptic feedback from the handle 210 indicates that the correct position i.e. locked or unlocked of the 35 handle 210 has been reached.

The grip portion 212 may be formed of a longitudinal flat grip

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 extending outwards from the base portion 211. The grip portion 212 may be formed of an inner part 212A extending in the longitudinal direction L2 of the handle 210 outwards from the base part 211 and an outer part 212B. The outer part 212B may be inclined in relation to the inner part 212A.

The second shaft 220 may be cylindrical. The second shaft 220 may extend in a direction being perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal direction L2 of the handle 210. The second shaft 220 may comprise a threaded hole 225 extending in a direction being perpendicular in relation to a longitudinal centre axis of the shaft 220. The threaded hole 225 may extend through a 10 middle portion of the shaft 220 in relation to the longitudinal centre axis of the shaft 220. The screw 240 may extend through the bottom plate 60, through the first support plate 70, through the second support plate 80, through the lock profile 230, and through the recess 216 to the threaded hole 225 in the second shaft 220. The second shaft 220 becomes thus stationary attached to the 15 bottom plate 60. The handle 210 becomes thus rotatable attached to the bottom plate 60 via the second shaft 220. The handle 210 is rotatable in relation to the stationary second shaft 220.

The lock profile 230 may comprise a plain bottom surface and a curved support surface 231. The bottom surface of the lock profile 230 may be 20 seated against the upper surface of the second support plate 80 in the bridge support device 50. The lock profile 230 may be provided with a first opening 235 for the screw 240, with a second opening 236 for the first plunger 250 and with a third opening 237 for the second plunger 260. The bottom plate 60, the first support plate 70, and the second support plate 80 are also provided with 25 corresponding openings for the screw 240 and the two plungers 250, 260. The eccentric bottom surface 211A of the base portion 211 of the handle 210 may be seated in the curved support surface 231 of the lock profile 230.

The bottom plate 60 may comprise a threaded opening 64 for the screw 63 forming the first pivot J1. The bottom plate 60 may further comprise a 30 plain hole 66 for the screw 240 attaching the handle 210 to the bottom plate 60. The bottom plate 60 may further comprise a threaded hole 67, 68 for each plunger 250, 260 mating with an outer threading of the plunger 250, 260. The plungers 250, 260 may thus be screwed into the threaded holes 67, 68 in the bottom plate 60 so that the plungers 250, 260 become supported by the 35 bottom plate 60. The plungers 250, 260 may be provided with an outer threading and with a spring loaded ball 251 at an outer end of the plungers

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250, 260. The spring loaded ball 251 may be pressed inwards into the plunger 250, 260 against the force of a spring positioned within the plunger 250, 260. The bottom plate 60 may further comprise a hole 69 in the second end portion 62 of the bottom plate 60 for the first shaft 105 of the adjustment device 100.

The bottom plate may further comprise an oblong opening for the gas cylinder of the saddle chair 10.

The opening in the first support plate 70 and in the second support plate 80 for the screw 240 attaching the handle 210 to the bottom plate 60 and the openings in the first support plate 70 and in the second support plate 80 for 10 the plungers 250, 260 may have a form and a size that enables the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 to move in relation to each other and in relation to the bottom plate 60 along a circumference of a circle having the centre point in the first pivot J1 when the distance of the gap G1 between the two seat parts 30, 40 in the saddle chair 10 is adjusted. The 15 opening 75 in the first support plate 70 and the opening 85 in the second support plate 80 in the first pivot point J1 may be formed of holes having a diameter that is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the screw 63 forming the first pivot point J1.

Figure 5 shows a dust cover to be used in the saddle chair and 20 figure 6 shows a cross section of the support element of the dust cover.

The dust cover 800 may be supported on the bottom plate 60 with two support elements 810. Each of the support elements 810 may comprise a threaded rod 820, a spacer 830, a first magnetic snap 840, and a second snap 850.

The threaded rod 820 may be screwed into a threaded hole in the bottom plate 60. The threaded rod 820 extends through the spacer 830 and into a threaded hole in the first magnetic snap 840. The spacer 830 and the first magnetic snap 840 become thus attached to the bottom plate 60 via the threaded rod 820.

The second snap 850 may comprise a snap portion 851 and two brackets 852, 853. The second snap 850 may be attached to the dust cover 800 by pushing the upwards directed brackets 852, 853 through openings 801, 802 in the dust cover 800. The brackets 852, 853 are then bent against the upper surface of the dust cover 800. The second snap 850 become thus 35 attached to the dust cover 800.

The spacer 830, the first magnetic snap 840 and the snap portion

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851 may be cylindrical. The outer diameter of the first magnetic snap 840 may correspond to the outer diameter of the snap portion 851. The first magnetic snap 840 may be formed of a permanent magnet. The second snap 850 may be of a ferromagnetic material.

The dust cover 800 may thus be pushed on the first magnetic snaps

840 attached to the bottom plate 60 so that the second snaps 850 become substantially concentric with the first magnetic snaps 840. The second snaps 850 are attached to the first magnetic snaps 840 by the magnetic force of the permanent magnets. The dust cover 800 is positioned at a distance above the 10 bottom plate 60 so that there remains enough space for the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 on the bottom plate 60.

Figure 7 shows a side view, figure 8 shows a bottom view, figure 9 shows an exploded view, and figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a swing support device of a chair.

The swing support device 300 may comprise a frame part 310 with a longitudinal centre line L3. The longitudinal centre line L3 may form a longitudinal axial centre line of the frame part 310. The frame part 310 may have a first axial end 310A and a second opposite axial end 310B. The first axial end 310A may be provided with lugs 320. Each lug 320 may be provided 20 with an opening 325 passing through the lug 320. There may be four lugs 320 in the frame part 310. The first axial end 310A of the swing support device 300 may be seated against a bottom surface of the bottom plate 60 in the bridge support device 50. The swing support device 300 may be attached to the bridge support device 50 with screws passing through the openings 325 in the 25 lugs 320 of the swing support device 300. The screws may be screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the bottom plate 60 of the bridge support device 50. The frame part 310 may further be provided with a first opening 330 passing through the frame part 310. The first opening 330 may pass in the direction of the longitudinal centre line L3 through the frame part 310. A cross 30 section of the first axial opening 330 at the second end 310B of the frame part 310 may have a substantially cylindrical form with two opposite straight planes 331, 332 truncating the outer surface of the cylinder. The remaining two opposite outer surfaces 333, 334 in the cylinder are thus curved. The cross section is perpendicular to the longitudinal centre line L3 of the frame part 310.

An outer perimeter of the curved portions 333, 334 may coincide with a circumference of a circle having the centre point on the longitudinal centre line

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L3 of the frame part 310. A diameter D1 of the first axial opening 330 at the second axial end 31 OB of the frame part 310 measured from the outer perimeter of the curved portions 333, 334 is greater compared to a diameter D2 of the opening 330 at the first axial end 310A of the frame part 310. A step 5 335 is thus formed in the first axial opening 330 near the first axial end 310A of the first axial opening 330. The smaller portion of the first axial opening 330 may have a round cross section. The frame part 310 may be made of metal or of plastic or of composite. The metal may be aluminium.

The swing support part 300 comprises further a muff 610. The muff 10 610 may be inserted into the first axial opening 330 in the frame part 310. The muff 610 may be inserted into the first axial opening 330 in the frame part 310 from the second axial end 310B of the frame part 310. A first axial end 610A of the muff 610 will seat against the step 335 in the first axial opening 330 and a second opposite axial end 610B of the muff 610 will be substantially flush with 15 the second axial end 310B of the frame part 310. A cross section of the muff 610 may correspond to the cross section of the first axial opening 330 in the frame part 310 at the second axial end 310B of the opening 330. The cross section of the muff 610 may thus have a substantially cylindrical form with two opposite straight planes 611, 612 truncating the outer surface of the cylinder. 20 The remaining two opposite sides 613, 614 are curved. The curvature of the two curved sides 613, 614 may coincide with the circumference of a circle having the middle point on the longitudinal centre line L3 of the frame part 310.

The muff 610 may comprise at least one recess 620, 630 provided on an outer surface of the muff 610. The muff 610 in the embodiment shown in 25 the figures comprises two recesses 620, 630 positioned opposite to each other on the opposite curved outer surfaces of the muff 610. The recesses 620, 630 may extend radially inwards from the outer surface of the muff 610. The outer surface of the muff 610 is seated within the first opening 330 in the frame part 310. The recesses 620, 630 may extend axially from the second axial end 30 610B of the muff 610 to a distance from the first axial end 610A of the muff

610. A neck may thus remain at the first end 610A in the curved outer surface of the muff 610 above the recesses 620, 630. The width of the recesses 620, 630 in the circumferential direction of the muff 610 may be in the range of 30 to 90 degrees. At least an outer portion of the muff 610 may be resilient i.e. made 35 of a resilient material. At least the outer portion of the muff 610 may be made of rubber.

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The muff 610 may further be provided with a second axial opening

660 passing through an inner portion of the muff 610. The second axial opening 660 may pass in the direction of the longitudinal centre line L3 of the frame part 310. The longitudinal direction of the muff 660 may correspond to the longitudinal direction of the frame part 310. A support cylinder 700 of the saddle chair 10 may be inserted into the second axial opening 660 in the muff 610. The support cylinder 700 may be a gas cylinder.

The inner portion of the muff 610 may be formed of a stiff material.

The inner portion of the muff 610 may be formed of a bushing 670. The 10 bushing 670 may form the second axial opening 660 in the muff 610. The bushing 670 may be formed as an integral part of the muff 610. The bushing

670 may form the inner portion of the muff 610 and the outer portion of the muff 610 may be formed of a resilient material e.g. rubber. The bushing 670 may be positioned in a mould and the resilient material may be injected into 15 the mould to form the outer portion of the muff 610. The bushing 670 may have a substantially cylindrical form with radially outwardly protruding flanges 671 at both ends of the cylinder. The bushing 670 may be of a stiff material. The bushing 670 may be of metal e.g. of aluminium or of plastic. The second axial opening 660 may be conical mating with the conical upper end of the support 20 cylinder 700. The conical second axial opening 660 may contract towards the first end 310A of the frame part 310. The muff 610 is at least partially resilient as the outer portion of the muff 610 is resilient.

The form of the muff 310 will prevent rotation of the muff 610 within the first opening 330 in the frame part 310. The muff 310 may be substantially 25 equally stiff in all directions.

The first opening 330 in the frame part 310 may pass through the frame part 310 along the longitudinal centre line L3 of the frame part 310. The second opening 660 may pass through the muff 610 along the longitudinal centre line L3 of the frame part 310. A longitudinal axial centre line of the first 30 axial opening 330 and a longitudinal axial centre line of the second opening

660 may coincide with the longitudinal axial centre line L3 of the frame part 310.

The swing support device 300 may further comprise two compression plates 640, 650 to be inserted into a respective recess 620, 630 35 in the muff 610. The compression plates 640, 650 may thus be positioned opposite to each other on opposite sides of the muff 610. The compression

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 plates 640, 650 may be curved mating with the curved surface of the recesses 620, 630 in the muff 610. An outer surface of the compression plates 640, 650 may become substantially flush with an outer surface of the curved portions of the muff 610 when the compression plates 640, 650 are inserted into the 5 recesses 620, 630 in the muff 610. Each compression plate 640, 650 may be provided with a cavity 641, 651 extending inwards from an outer surface of the respective compression plate 640, 650. The compression plates 640, 650 may be stiff. The compression plates 640, 650 may be made of metal.

The swing support device 300 may further comprise a lever 410 having an outer portion 411 and an inner portion 412. The outer portion 411 may extend along a side of the frame part 310 and the inner portion 412 may extend to a middle portion of the frame part 310 at the first axial end 311 of the frame part 310. The inner portion 412 may extend above an upper end of the gas cylinder 700 of the saddle chair 10. The lever 410 may be attached with a second pivot J2 to the frame part 310. A damper 420 may further be provided on the lever 410. The damper 420 may be situated between the lever 410 and the bottom plate 60 of the bridge support device 50. The damper 420 may be made of rubber. When the outer portion 411 of the lever 410 is pulled outwards, the inner portion 412 of the lever 410 will be pushed downwards so that the activation pin 710 of the gas cylinder 700 is pressed inwards into the gas cylinder 700. Height adjustment of the saddle chair 10 is possible as long as the inner portion 412 of the lever 410 pushes the activation pin 710 into the gas cylinder 700. The lever 410 may be made of plastic or of composite.

The swing support device 300 may further comprise an actuator 500 for adjusting the stiffness of the swing of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10.

The actuator 500 may pass from the outside of the frame part 310 into the opening 330 in the frame part 310. The actuator 500 may extend in a direction being perpendicular to the axial centre laine L3 of the frame part 310. The actuator 500 may thus extend in a radial direction into the opening 330 in the 30 frame part 310. The actuator 500 may be formed of a rod 520 with an outer threading. A second grip 510 may be attached to a first outer end of the rod 520. A second inner end of the rod 520 may be threaded into a lock insert 530. The lock insert 530 may have a cylindrical form. The lock insert 530 may be provided with an inner threading mating with the outer threading of the rod 35 520. The lock insert 530 may be inserted into a hole in the frame part 310. The attachment between the lock insert 530 and the edge of the hole in the frame

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 part 310 may be of any prior known type e.g. a threading, a pressure joint, a glue joint, a form closing joint or any combination of these. The attachment should be such that the lock insert 530 is fixed in the rotational and in the axial direction into the hole in the frame part 310. The lock insert 530 may be of a 5 harder metal that the frame part 310. The inner threading in the lock insert 530 is more durable than the threading in the hole in the frame part 310 being of aluminium. The length of the lock insert 530 may be greater than the thickness of the wall in the frame part 310. This provides for a longer threading in the lock insert 530 compared to a threading in the wall of the frame part 310. The 10 second grip 510 may be formed of a knob. Rotation of the second grip 510 rotates the rod 520. The second grip 510 may be of plastic or composite. The rod 520 and the lock insert 530 may be of some hard metal.

A setting screw 540 may be positioned on the opposite side of the frame part 310 in relation to the rod 520. The setting screw 540 may be 15 screwed into a threaded hole in the wall of the frame part 310. The setting screw 540 may be made of a hard metal. The setting screw 540 may be preset at the factory and there is no need to adjust the setting screw 540 after that. This means that a separate insert of hard metal is not needed for the setting screw 540.

The rod 520 and the setting screw 540 may have a common axial centre line L4. Said axial centre line L4 may extend in a direction being perpendicular to the axial centre line L3 of the frame part 310. Said axial centre line L4 may also be perpendicular to the longitudinal centre line L1 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10.

An inner end of the rod 520 may extend into the cavity 641 on the outer surface of the first compression plate 640 and an inner end of the setting screw 540 may extend into the cavity 651 on the outer surface of the second compression plate 650. The cavities 641,651 may have a hemispherical form.

Rotation of the second grip 510 in a clockwise direction will move 30 the rod 520 inwards increasing the force that pushes the first compression plate 640 against the muff 610. The compression force on the muff 610 by the compression plates 640, 650 will thus be increased resulting in an increase in the stiffness of the muff 610. The swing of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 will thus be stiffer.

Rotation of the second grip 510 in a counter clockwise direction will move the rod 520 outwards decreasing the force that pushes the first

20185915 PRH 04-09- 2019 compression plate 640 against the muff 610. The compression force on the muff 610 by the compression plates 640, 650 will thus be reduced resulting in a decrease in the stiffness of the muff 610. The swing of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 will thus be less stiff.

The seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 may swing in all directions. The major swing directions are forward and backwards along the longitudinal centre line L1 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10 and to the sides i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal centre axis L1 of the seat 20 of the saddle chair 10. The rod 520 may be directed to the left of the saddle chair 10, 1 o whereby the lever 410 is directed to the right of the saddle chair 10.

The vertical symmetry plane P10 may pass along a centre axis of the support cylinder 700. The saddle chair 10 i.e. the seat parts 30, 40 and/or the bridge support device 50 may thus be symmetrical in view of the vertical symmetry plane P10 and in view of the centre axis of the support cylinder 700.

The swing support device 300 has been described in connection with a saddle chair with a divided seat. The swing support device 300 may, however, be used in connection with any kind of saddle chair and also with any other kind of chair being supported on a support cylinder.

The swing support device 300 has further been described in 20 connection with a bridge support device 50 being especially suitable for a saddle chair with a divided seat. The swing support device 300 may, however, be used in connection with any kind of support device 200 for any kind of chair. The swing support device 300 may also be used without any kind of support device 200 at all. The only prerequisite is that the chair comprises some kind of 25 a support surface or support points into which the swing support device 30 may be attached.

The swing support device 300 shown in the figures comprises a lever 410 for the height adjustment of the chair. This is an advantageous embodiment in case the support cylinder 700 is a gas cylinder 700. The swing 30 support device 300 could, however, be used in connection with any kind of support cylinder 700. The support cylinder 700 may not be provided with an activation pin 710 on the top of the support cylinder 700. This would mean that the lever 410 would not be needed in the swing support device 300.

The bridge support device 50 and the swing support device 300 35 may together form a support arrangement between the support cylinder 700 and the seat 20 of a chair 10. The swing support device 300 may as another option be connected directly between the support cylinder 700 and the seat 20 of the chair 10. The swing support device 300 may as still another option be connected indirectly to the seat 20 of the chair 10 via any kind of intermediate support device.

The actuator 500 shown in the figures is based on a threaded rod

520. This is an advantageous embodiment, but also other kind of actuators 500 may be used. The actuator 500 could be based on a non-threaded rod being activated by a lever being rotatable around a pivot. Rotation of the lever could move the rod inwards and outwards. There could be some kind of a 10 groove system or cogwheel system making locking steps for the movement.

Another possibility would be to use a compression ring around the compression plates 640, 650. The opposite ends of the compression ring could protrude out from an opening in the frame part 310. A bolt and a nut could be used to adjust the compression force of the compression ring.

The use of a first pivot J1 as shown in the figures is an advantageous solution. The movement of the first support plate 70 and the second support plate 80 is fully controlled. The support plates 70, 80 may only rotate around the first pivot J1.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A rocking support device for a chair, the rocking support device (300) comprising a frame member (310) having a longitudinal center axis (L3) and a first opening (330) extending longitudinally of the frame member (310).

5, parallel to the central axis (L3) through the body member (310), a sleeve (610) located in the first opening (330) within the body member (310), the sleeve (610) comprising a second opening (660) extending through the body member (660). 310) parallel to the longitudinal center axis (L3) through the inner portion of the sleeve (610) and adapted to receive the support cylinder (700) of the chair 10, characterized in that the sleeve (610) comprises at least one recess (620, 630) on the outer surface of the sleeve at least the outer portion of the sleeve (610) is resilient, the cleaning plate (640, 650) is located in the recess (620, 630), the cleaning plate (640, 650) being rigid, the actuator (500) extending into contact with the pressing plate (640, 650), wherein the actuator (500) either increases the stiffness of the sleeve (610) by increasing the clamping force exerted by the press plate (640, 650) on the sleeve (610) or decreasing the stiffness of the sleeve (610) by decreasing the clamping force exerted on the sleeve (610).

A rocking support device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve (610) comprises two recesses (620, 630) disposed opposite each other on the outer surface of the sleeve (610), wherein a cleaning plate (640, 650) is disposed in each recess (620, 630). ).

25

Rocking support device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sleeve (610) has a substantially cylindrical cross-section with two opposed parallel straight planes (611, 612) which cut off the outer surface of the sleeve (610). the outer surfaces (613, 614) are curved.

30

A rocking support device according to claim 3, characterized in that the recesses (620, 630) are formed on two opposed curved outer surfaces (613, 614) of the sleeve (610).

A rocking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner part of the sleeve (610) consists of a sleeve (670), whereby

35, the second axial opening (660) is located in the sleeve (670).

A rocking support device according to claim 5, characterized in that:

20185915 PRH 04-09-2019 that the sleeve (670) has a substantially cylindrical shape having radially outwardly extending flanges (671) at both ends of the cylinder.

A rocking support device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sleeve (670) is formed as an integral part of the sleeve (610).

5

A rocking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the actuator (500) comprises an arm (520) having an external thread extending through a threaded hole in the body (310) and a handle (520) attached to the outer end of the arm (520). 510), wherein rotation of the handle (510) rotates the arm (520) such that the arm (520) moves inward and / or outward in the helical 10 bore.

A rocking support device according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking insert (530) is attached to a hole in the body part (310), the locking insert (530) comprising an internal thread for receiving an external thread, the locking insert (530) being a stationary body part (310)

15 holes.

A rocking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the setting screw (540) extends through the bore of the body part (310) on the opposite side of the actuator (500) to contact the corresponding cleaning plate (640, 650). set

20 setting screws.

A rocking support device according to claim 10, characterized in that each cleaning plate (640, 650) comprises a recess (641, 651) on the outer surface of the pressing plate (640, 650), wherein the recess (641) of the first cleaning plate (640) another press plate

The recess (651) of the 25 (650) receives the inner end of the set screw (540).

The rocking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rocking support device (300) further comprises a lever (410) having an outer portion (411) extending longitudinally of the housing member (310) outside the housing member (310). and an inner portion (412) extending transversely (L4)

30 within the frame member (310) at the first end (310A) of the frame member (310), the lever (410) being secured to the frame member (310) at the first end (310A) of the frame member (310) by a pivot point (J2). wherein rotation of the lever (410) about the pivot point (J2) in the first direction pushes the support cylinder (700), which is a gas cylinder, to the activation pin (710) to release the chair height adjustment 35.

A chair, characterized in that the chair comprises a rocking support device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

A chair according to claim 13, characterized in that the chair comprises a seat (20) and a support cylinder (700), wherein the rocking support device (300) supports the seat (20) with a support cylinder (700).