GB1581523A - Articles of furniture - Google Patents

Description

(54) ARTICLES OF FURNITURE (71) We, JOHN LBWIS of 15 South Close, Off Village Way, Rayners Lane, Pinner, Middlesex and ADRIAN CHARLES FLAUM of 36 Woodcroft Avenue, Stanmore, Middlesex both British Subjects do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to items of furniture of the type in which the article is supported on castors which permit its rolling movement across a ground surface, but which are effectively retracted in response to a downward pressure. Rolling stools are one example of such items and are commonly used for example in libraries and offices as steps and low-level stools.

The present invention provides an article of furniture comprising a frame supported on castors which permit the article to roll freely across a ground surface when unloaded but which retract against a resilient restoring force when a downward pressure is applied to the article, to cause the frame to engage the ground surface wherein the frame comprises at least three upright frame members of tubular form, each housat its lower end portion a spherical castor and a coil compression spring acting downwardly on the castor and upwardly on the frame member.

This arrangement admits of a neat and economical but sturdy design which lends itself particularly well to a construction in which the frame of the article is constructed essentially of tubular metal.

One form of rolling stool in accordance with the invention is described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rolling stool; Figure 2 is a top plan view; Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views on the lines III-III, IV-IV and V-V respectively, in Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a scrap section on the line VI VI in Figure 5.

The rolling stool shown in the drawings comprises a tubular steel frame consisting of three uprights 10 converging towards their upper ends and three annular, horizontal members 11, 12 and 13, welded to the uprights at their points of mutual contact. The top member 11 'has a sheet metal panel 14 welded to it to fill the frame member, and panels 15, 16 are welded to the respective frame members 12, 13. These two panels each'have .a triangular cut-out to save unnecessary weight, the residual portions of each panel forming individual steps between each pair of adjacent uprights 10.

The top panel member 11 and the steps are preferably faced on their upper surfaces with rubber and the bottom horizontal member 13 is substantially encased in a Cshaped rubber sleeve 13A to protect any objects with which the stool might collide and, principally to provide a friction facing for engagement with a ground surface.

The lower end portion of each upright constitutes a housing for respective castor assembly, comprising a standard spherical castor and support 17 having a screw threaded shank 18 over which is located a coil compression spring 19. The shank 18 passes upwardly, with clearance, through a support' bush 20 secured by screws 21 in the upright 10, and a nut 22 permits adjustment of the downward protrusion of the castor sphere, and of the pre-load in the spring 19.

The springs are adjusted so as to support between them the weight of the article when standing on its castors, but with only a small excess of pre-load, so that the addition of a fairly small downward pressure will cause compression of the springs and bring the bottom member 13 into contact wth the ground surface, for example if a person stands or sits on the stool or even puts one foot on it.

It will be appreciated that the above described construction achieves a good compromise between rigidity on the one hand and relative simplicity of constructon and light weight on the other.

The spherical castors give a very smooth rolling action, but are neatly and safely housed within the upright, thus obviating the need to provide the frame with attachment brackets for housing the castors.

It is not of course essential that the frame be constructed entirely of tubular metal, this being a particularly advantageous but not an essential feature, except for the uprights which house the castors, of which there could obviously be four or more if de sired.

Also, the article could take the other forms and could, for example, be designed bar-stool or as a small step ladder.

According to another modification, additional tubular uprights are provided to extend between the horizontal members 12 and 13. These uprights are each positioned midway between a pair of adjacent uprights 10. Additionally the panels 16 are omitted.

These and other variations will be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An article of furniture comprising a frame supported on castors which permit the article to roll freely across a ground surface when unloaded but which retract against a resilient restoring force when a downward pressure is applied to the art'icle, to cause the frame to engage the ground surface, wherein the frame comprises at least three upright frame members of tubular form, each housing at its lower end portion a spherical castor and a coil compression spring acting downwardly on the castor and upwardly on the frame member.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the spring acts at its upper end against an abutment' fast with the upright frame member, and is located by a threaded castor spindle by which the pre-load of the spring is adjustable.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame consists essentially of a plurality of annular horizontal members of tubular metal virtually spaced apart and secured to each of the three uprights, the horizontal members being at least partially filled in by panels, which constitute a seat or step portions.

4. An article of furniture substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. bottom member 13 into contact wth the ground surface, for example if a person stands or sits on the stool or even puts one foot on it. It will be appreciated that the above described construction achieves a good compromise between rigidity on the one hand and relative simplicity of constructon and light weight on the other. The spherical castors give a very smooth rolling action, but are neatly and safely housed within the upright, thus obviating the need to provide the frame with attachment brackets for housing the castors. It is not of course essential that the frame be constructed entirely of tubular metal, this being a particularly advantageous but not an essential feature, except for the uprights which house the castors, of which there could obviously be four or more if de sired. Also, the article could take the other forms and could, for example, be designed bar-stool or as a small step ladder. According to another modification, additional tubular uprights are provided to extend between the horizontal members 12 and 13. These uprights are each positioned midway between a pair of adjacent uprights 10. Additionally the panels 16 are omitted. These and other variations will be within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An article of furniture comprising a frame supported on castors which permit the article to roll freely across a ground surface when unloaded but which retract against a resilient restoring force when a downward pressure is applied to the art'icle, to cause the frame to engage the ground surface, wherein the frame comprises at least three upright frame members of tubular form, each housing at its lower end portion a spherical castor and a coil compression spring acting downwardly on the castor and upwardly on the frame member.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the spring acts at its upper end against an abutment' fast with the upright frame member, and is located by a threaded castor spindle by which the pre-load of the spring is adjustable.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame consists essentially of a plurality of annular horizontal members of tubular metal virtually spaced apart and secured to each of the three uprights, the horizontal members being at least partially filled in by panels, which constitute a seat or step portions.

4. An article of furniture substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.