FR3065500A3 - UNIDIRECTIONAL FRICTION SEAL FOR CAPITONE FURNITURE - Google Patents

Abstract

Unidirectional friction seal for upholstered furniture according to the invention consists of a fixed arm placed on a fixed element of the furniture and a movable arm placed on a movable member of the furniture, provided with clamping rollers located in the seats, washers and friction disks, it being specified that the movable arm is fixed so as to allow it to rotate relative to the fixed arm, the arms being assembled with the aid of a fastening element acting on a clamping spring at least situated between the fastening element and the seal arm, characterized in that it is provided with a toothed disc (5) located in the orifice (15) of the movable arm (2) fixed on the rod (3) so as to stationary with respect to the rod (3) on which is fixed immovable at least one washer (4), the seats (14) in which are located the locking rollers (6) constituting the spaces delimited by the sides of the teeth (7) of the toothed disc (5), of the path (13) da ns the toothed disc (5) and sections of the surface (12) of the orifice (15) of the movable arm (2), it being specified that the washer (4) and the friction disc (11), whose surfaces are contiguous, form a friction group (18) which cooperates with the surface of the fixed arm (1).

Description

Unidirectional Friction Seal for Upholstered Furniture The purpose of this utility model is a unidirectional friction seal for upholstered furniture to block the position of a movable member of a piece of furniture in any position. This invention has a special application to adjust the position of the headrests, armrests, footrests, backs of seats, armchairs, sofas, beds.

The friction joint for upholstered furniture, as known, consists of a fixed arm placed on a fixed element of the furniture and a movable arm attached to a movable member of the furniture, for example headrest or armrest. The movable arm is fixed to allow its rotation relative to the fixed arm. The seal includes washers and friction discs.

At the level of the movable arm, between the elements of the fixed arm, there is arranged a molded sleeve provided in its central part with a rim protruding from its lateral parts, with clamping washers arranged on their two sides.

In the orifice of the movable arm is embedded an insert, fixedly relative to the movable arm, having a through bore, with recesses made around its periphery. The molded sleeve is disposed in the orifice of the insert, taking advantage of its edge tab. The shape of the recesses made in the insert and that of the tongue fragments around the bushing create seats in which the clamping elements are arranged. The recesses are arranged regularly around the bore (orifice) of the insert.

The clamping elements in the seats may be in the form of small rollers or balls and may be assisted by recessed pressure springs in the seats next to the clamping elements.

The molded bushing is connected to the clamping washers so that during rotation the bushing is immobilized with respect to the clamping washers, while constituting a support for the friction washers on the tongue of the molded bushing.

The friction washers are located between the clamping washers and the inner surfaces of the elements of the fixed arm.

The arms of the gasket are assembled by means of a fastening element, for example bolt with nut.

Between the ends of the fastening element and the outer surfaces of the elements of the fixed arm are arranged the clamping springs, preferably Belleville washers. The degree of compression of the clamping spring can be adjusted according to the degree of clamping of the fastener.

The movable arm has the shape of a straight plate, the fixed arm can be made in assembled plates provided with shoulders.

The movable arm cooperates with the clamping elements causing their clamping in the seats, as is the case of freewheel coupling.

Hereinafter the operation of a generally known friction joint:

If with the moving arm we make a movement in the direction of the free adjustment, without friction resistance, the clamping elements in the seats remain motionless, with the friction washers, relative to the fixed arm and the clamping washers. Only the movable arm is in motion, fixed on the movable element, for example furniture.

During the movement in the opposite direction, the movable arm clamps the clamping elements in the seats and we obtain the movement of the movable arm, with the clamping elements and the friction discs with respect to the clamping washers and the fixed arm, this which makes that at the time of rotation of the friction discs there is friction between the friction discs and the clamping washers, on one side, and the elements of the fixed arm on the other side. This movement is blocked by the frictional resistance that occurs between the aforementioned joint elements.

Rotation in one direction requires overcoming the friction force, while rotation in the opposite direction requires no force. It is essential that in any position of the movable arm it is possible to find the initial position by overcoming the friction force.

The construction of the generally known friction joint makes it possible to block the position of the mobile element of the furniture in any position desired by the user. There is no intermediate angular limit of the position of the movable element because there is no graduation and therefore the lifting and lowering movement of said element is fluid, harmonious.

The fact of applying in the joint solutions that work as the freewheel coupling makes it possible to tighten the clamping elements during the movement carried out by one of the arms and consequently, at the moment of the rotation of the friction washers, it occurs the friction between said washers and the elements of the fixed arm. This undoubtedly improves the usual values of these seals in comparison with the seals used previously where the change of position of the movable element of the furniture is realized by steps.

However, the increased demands of users are forcing manufacturers to implement new solutions that further improve the operating values of friction joints, making their use more efficient and their operation simpler, while reducing their dimensions by respecting the identical functional parameters.

In order to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks and to adapt the construction of the joint to the increased operating requirements, the unidirectional friction seal has been designed whose structure allows the blocking of the position of the mobile element of the furniture in any position effectively. during the harmonious movement of lifting and lowering of the movable element.

The unidirectional friction seal for upholstered furniture consists of a fixed arm placed on a fixed element of the furniture and a movable arm resting on a movable element of the furniture, provided with rollers located in the seats, washers and friction discs, it being specified that the movable arm is fixed so as to allow its rotation relative to the fixed arm. The arms are assembled by means of a fastening element acting on at least one clamping spring located between the fastening element and the seal arm. In addition, the friction seal is provided with a toothed disc located in the orifice of the movable arm, recessed on the rod immovably with respect to the rod, on the same rod is also immovably embedded at least one washer. on the other hand, the seats accommodating the locking rollers constitute spaces delimited by the sides of the teeth of the toothed disk, the path of the toothed disc and sections of the surface of the orifice of the movable arm, since the washer and the disc of friction, whose surfaces are contiguous, form a friction group which cooperates with the surface of the fixed arm.

The toothed disk, the rod and at least one washer are fixed immovably relative to each other.

The toothed disc and the rod are connected by means of form-fitting, it being understood that in the context of this fixing the molded orifice of the toothed disk is embedded on the molded surfaces of the rod.

The washer and the rod are connected by means of assembly by form, it being specified that in the context of this fixation the molded orifice of the washer is embedded on the molded surfaces of the rod.

The friction disc is freely disposed on the rod.

The toothed disc has a greater thickness than that of the movable arm.

In the first embodiment, the seal has a single friction group located on one side of the movable arm, on the inner side of the end of the fixed arm, it being specified that the friction group consisting of the washer and the disc of contiguous friction is located so that the friction disc cooperates directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the second embodiment, the seal has two friction groups located on both sides of the movable arm between the ends of the fixed arm, it being specified that each of these friction groups consisting of the washer and the contiguous friction disk is located so that allowing the friction disc of each friction group to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the third embodiment, the seal has three friction groups, two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm between the ends of the fixed arm, another group being located on the outside of the fixed arm, it being specified that each of these groups of friction located on both sides of the movable arm, consisting of the washer and the contiguous friction disc, is located so as to allow the friction disc of each friction group to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm, the because of its adhesion to this surface, against the friction group located on the outside of the fixed arm, consisting of the washer and the contiguous friction disc, is located so as to allow the friction disc of this friction group to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the fixed arm, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the fourth embodiment, the seal has four friction groups, two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm between the ends of the fixed arm, two other groups being located on both outer sides of the fixed arm, it being specified that each of the groups of friction located on both sides of the movable arm, consisting of the washer and the contiguous friction disc, is located so as to allow the friction disc of each friction group to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm, the due to its adhesion to this surface, against each friction group located on both outer sides of the movable arm, consisting of the washer and the contiguous friction disc, is located so as to allow the friction disc of each friction group to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the fixed arm, because of its adhesion to this surface.

The realization of the unidirectional friction seal according to this model makes it possible to block the position of the mobile element of the furniture in any desired position by the user. There is no intermediate angular limit of the position of the movable element because there is no graduation and therefore the lifting and lowering movement of said element is fluid, harmonious.

In the seal according to the invention it is possible to adjust the frictional force related to the operation of the seal, which is essential from the point of view of users. The adjustment of this force and at the same time the adjustment of the frictional resistance is done before, before the operation p. ex. furniture provided with said seal. The adjustment of the force is simple because it consists in screwing the arms using the necessary force, in particular by screwing the fastening element, eg screw / nut.

The seal structure allows the larger torque to be transferred by means of a small seal and to improve the technological qualities compared to the generally known and operated friction joints.

Furthermore, the structure of the seal according to this model improves the technical side of the realization of the seal and reduces the size, while respecting the same performance parameters, the use of three or four groups of friction also allowing increase the friction torque while the dimensions of the joint remain relatively small. The object of the utility model is shown in the embodiment in the figures in which: FIG. 1 represents the joint in side view, with a partial section AA, FIG. 2 represents the joint in section AA. 3 represents the seal in top view, FIG. 4 represents the toothed disc in plan view, FIG. 4a represents the toothed disc in lateral view, FIG. top view, - fig.5a represents the rod in front view, - fig.6 represents the washer in top view, - fig.6a shows the washer in side view, - fig.7 represents the disc 7a shows the friction disc in a side view; FIG. 8 represents the fixed arm in plan view; FIG. 8a represents the fixed arm in side view; FIG. Fig. 9 shows the movable arm in plan view; Fig. 9a shows the movable arm in side view; Fig. 10 shows the seal with a side view friction group, with a partial section; Fig. 11 shows the seal with two side view friction groups, with a partial section; Fig. 12 shows the seal with three side-view friction groups, with a partial section; 13 shows the seal with four friction groups in side view, with a partial section.

The unidirectional friction seal for upholstered furniture according to the invention consists of a fixed arm 1 placed on a fixed element of the furniture and a movable arm 2 placed on a movable member of the furniture, for example a headrest or a armrest. The movable arm 2 is fixed so as to allow its rotation relative to the fixed arm 1.

In the movable arm 2, there is located a toothed disc 5 with the teeth 7 regularly disposed on its periphery, as well as the paths 13 disposed between the teeth of the disc. The toothed disc 5 is located in the orifice 15 of the movable arm 2 and is embedded on the rod 3, immobile with respect to the rod 3. On the rod 3, at least one washer 4 is immovably embedded.

The toothed disc 5 has the thickness G greater than the thickness G1 of the movable arm 2.

The toothed disk 5, the rod 3 and at least one washer 4 are fixed immovably relative to each other.

The toothed disk 5 and the rod 3 are connected by means of assembly by shape, it being specified that in the context of this fixing the molded orifice 16 of the toothed disc 5 is embedded on the molded surfaces 17 of the rod 3.

The washer 4 and the rod 3 are assembled by shape, it being specified that in this assembly the molded orifice 16 of the washer 4 is embedded on the molded surfaces 17 of the rod 3.

The friction disc 11 is freely disposed on the rod 3.

The fixed arm 1 can be made with a single element whose end is folded, as shown in FIG. 8a and FIG. 10, or with two elements assembled, with the ends folded back, as indicated for example in FIG. figure 1.

The spaces delimited by the sides of the teeth 7, the paths 13 in the toothed disc 7 and the sections of the surface 12 of the orifice 15 of the movable arm 2 form seats 14 in which the locking rollers 6 are located. blocking 6 can be assisted by pressure springs.

The elements having contiguous surfaces: the washer 4 and the friction disc 11, form a friction group 18 cooperating with the surface of the fixed arm 1.

In the first embodiment, the seal has a single friction group 18 located on one side of the movable arm, on the inner side of the end of the fixed arm 1. In this embodiment, the friction group 18 consisting of the washer 4 and the contiguous friction disk 11 is located so as to allow the friction disc 11 to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the second embodiment, the seal has two friction groups 18 located on both sides of the movable arm 2 between the ends of the fixed arm 1. In this embodiment, each of these friction groups 18 consist of the washer 4 and the disc of contiguous friction 11 is located so that the friction disc 11 of each friction group to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the third embodiment, the seal has three friction groups 18, two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm 2 between the ends of the fixed arm 1, another group being located on the outside of the fixed arm 1. In this embodiment, each of these friction groups 18 located on both sides of the movable arm 2, consisting of the washer 4 and the friction disc 11 contiguous, is located so as to allow the friction disc 11 of each friction group 18 to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface. By against the friction group 18 located on the outer side of the fixed arm 1, consisting of the washer 4 and the friction disc 11 contiguous, is located so as to allow the friction disc 11 of the friction group 18 to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface.

In the fourth embodiment, the seal has four friction groups 18, two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm 2 between the ends of the fixed arm 1, two other groups being located on the two outer sides of the fixed arm 1. In this embodiment , each of the friction groups 18 located on both sides of the movable arm 2, consisting of the washer 4 and the adjacent friction disc 11, is located so as to allow the friction disc 11 of each friction group 18 to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface. By against each friction group 18 located on the two outer sides of the movable arm 1, consisting of the washer 4 and the friction disc 11 contiguous, is located so as to allow the friction disc 11 of each friction group 18 to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the fixed arm 1, because of its adhesion to this surface.

The arms 1, 2 are assembled using a fastener 10 in the form of bolt with nut 8, but they can also be assembled using other generally known fasteners. Between the fastening element 10 and the fixed arm 1 there is at least one clamping spring 9, for example a Belleville washer. The degree of compression of the clamping spring 9 can be adjusted according to the degree of tightening of the fastening element 10.

The movable arm 2 may be entirely made of hardened steel. In another embodiment, the movable arm 2 may be made of ordinary carbon steel, it being specified that, if necessary, a hardened bushing is embedded in the orifice 15 of the movable arm 2.

The movable arm 2 cooperates with the locking rollers 6 causing their clamping in the seat 14, as is the case of freewheel coupling.

Here follows the operation of the friction joint:

The movable arm 2 rotates freely in the direction "R" and it can also turn in the direction "L", after overcoming the friction force, as shown in Figure 2.

If we make with the movable arm 2 a movement in the direction of free adjustment, without friction resistance, the locking rollers 6 in the seats 14 remain stationary, with the friction washers 11, relative to the fixed arm 1 and to the washers 4. Only the movable arm 2 is in motion, fixed on the movable element. In other words, during the movement in the direction "R" the movable arm 2 rotates freely in the orifice 15, the locking rollers serving to support this movement, cooperating with the surface 12 of the orifice 15. The toothed disc 5 is thicker than the movable arm 2, which leaves a clearance between these two elements allowing the free rotation of the movable arm 2 relative to the fastening element 10.

When moving in the opposite direction, the movable arm 2 clamps the locking rollers 6 in the seats 14; the toothed disc 5 in the locked position clamps the locking rollers 6 against the surface 12 of the orifice 15 of the movable arm 2. This causes the movement of the movable arm 2, with the locking rollers 6 and the friction washers 11, by relative to the washers 4 and the fixed arm 1, so that at the time of the rotation of the friction discs 11 the friction takes place between the friction discs 11 and the washers 4, on one side, and the elements of the arm fixed 1 on the other side. This movement is blocked by the frictional resistance that occurs between the aforementioned joint elements. In other words, during the movement of the movable arm 2 in the direction "L" the locking rollers 6 moving on the path 13 in the seats 14 react on the surface 12 of the orifice 15 so as to block the possibility of rotation of the toothed disk 5 with respect to the movable arm 2.

Rotation in one direction requires overcoming the friction force, while rotation in the opposite direction requires no force. It is essential that in any position of the movable arm 2 it is possible to find the initial position by overcoming the friction force.

Claims (10)

1. Unidirectional friction seal for upholstered furniture consisting of a fixed arm placed on a fixed element of the furniture and a movable arm placed on a movable member of the furniture, provided with clamping rollers located in the seats, washers and friction discs, it being specified that the movable arm is fixed so as to allow it to rotate relative to the fixed arm, the arms being assembled with the aid of a fastening element acting on at least one clamping spring situated between the fastening element and the seal arm, characterized in that it is provided with a toothed disc (5) located in the orifice (15) of the movable arm (2) fixed on the rod (3) immovably by relative to the rod (3) on which is also stationarily fixed at least one washer (4), the seats (14) in which are located the locking rollers (6) constituting the spaces delimited by the sides of the teeth (7). ) of the toothed disc (5), of the path (13) in s the toothed disk (5) and sections of the surface (12) of the orifice (15) of the movable arm (2), it being specified that the washer (4) and the friction disk (11), whose surfaces are contiguous, form a friction group (18) which cooperates with the surface of the fixed arm (1). 2. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed disc (5), the rod (3) and at least one washer (4) are fixed immovably relative to each other. 3. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed disc (5) and the rod (3) are connected by means of assembly form, being specified that in the context of this fixation the molded orifice ( 10) of the toothed disk (5) is embedded on the molded surfaces (17) of the rod (3). 4. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the washer (4) and the rod (3) are connected by means of assembly form, being specified that in this assembly the molded orifice (16) of the Washer (4) is embedded on the molded surfaces (17) of the rod (3). 5. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction disc (11) is freely disposed on the rod (3). 6. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed disk (5) has a thickness (G) greater than that of the movable arm (2). 7. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a single friction group (18) located on one side of the movable arm (2), the inner side of the end of the fixed arm (1) , it being specified that the friction group (18) consisting of the contiguous washer (4) and friction disk (11) is located so as to allow the friction disk (11) to cooperate directly with the inner surface of the friction disk (11). end of the fixed arm (1), because of its adhesion to this surface. 8. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two friction groups (18) located on both sides of the movable arm (2) between the ends of the fixed arm (1), it being specified that each of these groups friction device (18) consisting of the contiguous washer (4) and friction disc (11) is located so as to allow the friction disk (11) of each friction group (18) to cooperate directly with the inner surface. of the end of the fixed arm (1), because of its adhesion to this surface. 9. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that it has three friction groups (18), two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm (2) between the ends of the fixed arm (1), another group being located on the outer side of the fixed arm (1), it being specified that each of these friction groups (18) situated on both sides of the movable arm (2) consisting of the contiguous washer (4) and the friction disc (11) , is located so that the friction disc (11) of each friction group (18) cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm (1), because of its adhesion to this surface, cons the friction group (18) located on the outside of the fixed arm (1), consisting of the adjacent washer (4) and friction disk (11), is located so as to allow the friction disc (11) of this group of friction (18) to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the bra s fixed (1), because of its adhesion to this surface. 10. Seal according to claim 1, characterized in that it has four friction groups (18), two of which are located on both sides of the movable arm (2) between the ends of the fixed arm (1), two other groups being located on both outer sides of the stationary arm (1), it being specified that each of the friction groups (18) situated on both sides of the movable arm (2) consisting of the contiguous washer (4) and the friction disc (11) , is located so that the friction disc (11) of each friction group (18) cooperate directly with the inner surface of the end of the fixed arm (1), because of its adhesion to this surface, cons each friction group (18) located on the two outer sides of the movable arm (1), consisting of the washer (4) and the contiguous friction disk, is located so as to allow the friction disk (11) of each friction group (18) to cooperate directly with the outer surface of the end of the fixed arm (1), because of its adhesion to this surface.