GB1602912A

GB1602912A - Frames for chairs

Info

Publication number: GB1602912A
Application number: GB591278A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: KERON Ltd
Current assignee: KERON Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-11-18

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FRAMES FOR CHAIRS (71) We, KERON LIMITED, a British Company, of 22, Marshgate Lane, Stratford, London E15 2NP, 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 concerns improvements in and relating to frames for chairs, and more especially, but not exclusively, to chairs of the type which are sold in disassembled or "knock-down" condition for assembly by the purchaser.

When chairs or stools are sold in knockdown form, a primary requirement of the design of the article is that it should be capable of being packaged in a carton having as small a volume as possible, in order to reduce transport costs. Ideally, the frame should be of such a construction that it may be packed flat, together with the seat base and the back rest. Also, it is advantageous to reduce the height of the packed frame as far as possible, although this is generally determined by the combined height of the legs of the chair or stool, and the part of the frame supporting the back rest.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame for a chair or stool which is of simple construction whilst being capable of being packaged within a small volume when in a disassembled condition.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a frame for a chair, stool, or other seat construction, comprising a supporting structure for the seat base including two limbs extending or arranged to extend at an angle to one another in order to provide support for the seat base, and two L-shaped support members for a back rest, each said L-shaped member having one limb associated with a corresponding one of the limbs of the seat base supporting structure in such a manner that it can be pivoted about its own longitudinal axis into a position where the two limbs of the L lie alongside the supporting structure in order to reduce the dimensions of the frame for packing, and the arrangement being such that with the Lshaped members pivoted into an upright position relatively to the supporting structure and attached to the backrest and the supporting structure attached to the corresponding seat base, the assembled frame forms a rigid structure in which pivotal movement of the L-shaped members relatively to the support members is prevented.

Advantageously the seat frame is of tubular metal construction and each of said limbs of the support structure is provided with tubular socket for receiving a limb of the corresponding L-shaped member in a pivotal manner. The said socket may be formed by an open-ended tubular limb of the support structure, or alternatively may be formed by a section of tubing attached to and extending parallel to the corresponding limb of the support structure.

According to one embodiment of the invention the said supporting structure comprises two inverted U-shaped members intended for assembly with the bases of the U-shaped members attached crosswise and forming the said limbs of the support structure, the depending legs of the U-shaped members forming the legs of the seat.

In another embodiment the said supporting structure comprises four generally Cshaped members which are secured together at their mid-parts to form a cruciform arrangement in plan, the upper ends of the Cshaped members supporting the seat base and two adjacent said upper ends forming the said limbs to which the L-shaped members are attached.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a seat frame in accordance with the invention and Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of seat in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a seat frame, for example for a bar stool or chair of tubular steel construction comprises two U-shaped members 1 adapted for attachment to a seat base 2 in such a manner that the limbs 1A thereof depend downwardly to form the four legs of the seat structure. Each of the Ushaped members 1 has attached to the base 1B of the U, for example by welding, a portion 3 of metal tubing adapted to form a socket for receipt of one limb of an shaped member 4 forming a support for a back rest 5. To minimise the necessity for accurate and expensive parts, cellulose tape or equivalent sleeves may be provided around the ends of tubular members 4 to ensure tight fitting in the sockets formed by tube portions 3. Alternatively the tube portions 3 may be formed with indentations to grip the members 4.Advantageously the members 4 are retained within the tube portions 3 against removal by deformation of the ends thereof after insertion within the tube portions 3.

As shown, the U-shaped members 1 and the L-shaped members 4 may be secured to the base 2 and the back rest 5 of the seat by screws 6, and when so assembled the whole forms a rigid structure in which the U-shaped members 1 are held against movement relatively to one another by means of the seat base 2, and the attachment of the back rest 5 to the L-shaped members 4 prevents withdrawal thereof from the tubular portions 3 and also prevents pivoting thereof relatively to the U-shaped members 1.

However, in the disassembled condition the members of the frame may be packed flat with the two U-shaped members 1 adjacent one another and the L-shaped members 4 pivoted in the tubular portions 3 into the position shown in broken lines in which the two limbs of the L-shaped portions lie along- side the corresponding portions 1A and 1B of the- U-shaped members 1.

According to a further embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the structure 11 for supporting the base of a seat may be formed from four generally C-shaped members welded together to form a generally cruciform structure as shown, the lower ends 11A thereof forming the feet for the chair, and the upper ends 11B providing support for a seat base 12 which may be attached thereto by fastening screws as in the previous embodiment. Tubular socket portions 13 are welded to two adjacent ones of the upper ends 11B and extend alongside the latter in parallel relation thereto. L-shaped members 14 are inserted within the sockets 13, in a similar manner to that of the previously described embodiment, and are pivotable within the portions 13.The L-shaped members 14 may be attached to a back rest 15 by means of securing screws, also as in the previously described embodiment. Prior to assembly of the seat, the L-shaped members 14 are pivoted downwardly to lie alongside the support structure 11, and may also be siid longitudinally inwards relatively to the tube portions 13, in order further to reduce the packed dimensions of the seat frame. The ends 14A of the members 14 are nicked, or otherwise peened over to prevent removal of the members 14 from the tube portions 13, and during assembly of the seat the members 14 are pivoted into an upright position and pulled outwards relatively to the tube portions 13 until the ends 14A engage the tube portions 13 and form end stops defining the intended positions of the members ld during assembly of the seat.As in the case of the previous embodiment, the tube portions 13 are indented in order to remove any play between the members 14 and the tube portions 13 as a result of tolerances in the sizes of the tubing, and this enables firm support of the members 14 to be obtained despite a relatively short length (for example 2-1- inches) of the tube portions 13.

It will be appreciated from the above described embodiments of seat that the arrangement in accordance with the invention provides an assembly of very simple construction which is capable of being packed into a small carton, but is of robust and rigid construction when assembled.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A frame for a chair, stool or other seat construction comprising a supporting structure for the seat base including two limbs extending or arranged to extend at an angle to one another in order to provide support for the seat base, and two L-shaped support members for a back rest, each said L-shaped member having one limb associated with a corresponding one of the limbs of the seat base supporting structure in such a manner that it can be pivoted about its own longitudinal axis into a position where the two limbs of the L lie alongside the supporting structure in order to reduce the dimensions of the frame for packing, and the arrangement being such that with the Lshaped members pivoted into an upright position relatively to the supporting structure and attached to the backrest and the supporting structure attached to the corresponding seat base, the assembled frame forms a rigid structure in which pivotal movement of the L-shaped members relatively to the support members is prevented.

2. A frame as claimed in Claim 1, in which the seat frame is of tubular metal construction and each of said limbs of the support structure is provided with tubular socket for receiving a limb of the corresponding L-shaped member in a pivotal manner.

3. A frame as claimed in Claim 2, in which each said limb of said support structure comprises an open-ended tube and itself forms the said socket.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. thereof depend downwardly to form the four legs of the seat structure. Each of the Ushaped members 1 has attached to the base 1B of the U, for example by welding, a portion 3 of metal tubing adapted to form a socket for receipt of one limb of an shaped member 4 forming a support for a back rest 5. To minimise the necessity for accurate and expensive parts, cellulose tape or equivalent sleeves may be provided around the ends of tubular members 4 to ensure tight fitting in the sockets formed by tube portions 3. Alternatively the tube portions 3 may be formed with indentations to grip the members 4. Advantageously the members 4 are retained within the tube portions 3 against removal by deformation of the ends thereof after insertion within the tube portions 3. As shown, the U-shaped members 1 and the L-shaped members 4 may be secured to the base 2 and the back rest 5 of the seat by screws 6, and when so assembled the whole forms a rigid structure in which the U-shaped members 1 are held against movement relatively to one another by means of the seat base 2, and the attachment of the back rest 5 to the L-shaped members 4 prevents withdrawal thereof from the tubular portions 3 and also prevents pivoting thereof relatively to the U-shaped members 1. However, in the disassembled condition the members of the frame may be packed flat with the two U-shaped members 1 adjacent one another and the L-shaped members 4 pivoted in the tubular portions 3 into the position shown in broken lines in which the two limbs of the L-shaped portions lie along- side the corresponding portions 1A and 1B of the- U-shaped members 1. According to a further embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the structure 11 for supporting the base of a seat may be formed from four generally C-shaped members welded together to form a generally cruciform structure as shown, the lower ends 11A thereof forming the feet for the chair, and the upper ends 11B providing support for a seat base 12 which may be attached thereto by fastening screws as in the previous embodiment. Tubular socket portions 13 are welded to two adjacent ones of the upper ends 11B and extend alongside the latter in parallel relation thereto. L-shaped members 14 are inserted within the sockets 13, in a similar manner to that of the previously described embodiment, and are pivotable within the portions 13.The L-shaped members 14 may be attached to a back rest 15 by means of securing screws, also as in the previously described embodiment. Prior to assembly of the seat, the L-shaped members 14 are pivoted downwardly to lie alongside the support structure 11, and may also be siid longitudinally inwards relatively to the tube portions 13, in order further to reduce the packed dimensions of the seat frame. The ends 14A of the members 14 are nicked, or otherwise peened over to prevent removal of the members 14 from the tube portions 13, and during assembly of the seat the members 14 are pivoted into an upright position and pulled outwards relatively to the tube portions 13 until the ends 14A engage the tube portions 13 and form end stops defining the intended positions of the members ld during assembly of the seat.As in the case of the previous embodiment, the tube portions 13 are indented in order to remove any play between the members 14 and the tube portions 13 as a result of tolerances in the sizes of the tubing, and this enables firm support of the members 14 to be obtained despite a relatively short length (for example 2-1- inches) of the tube portions 13. It will be appreciated from the above described embodiments of seat that the arrangement in accordance with the invention provides an assembly of very simple construction which is capable of being packed into a small carton, but is of robust and rigid construction when assembled. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A frame for a chair, stool or other seat construction comprising a supporting structure for the seat base including two limbs extending or arranged to extend at an angle to one another in order to provide support for the seat base, and two L-shaped support members for a back rest, each said L-shaped member having one limb associated with a corresponding one of the limbs of the seat base supporting structure in such a manner that it can be pivoted about its own longitudinal axis into a position where the two limbs of the L lie alongside the supporting structure in order to reduce the dimensions of the frame for packing, and the arrangement being such that with the Lshaped members pivoted into an upright position relatively to the supporting structure and attached to the backrest and the supporting structure attached to the corresponding seat base, the assembled frame forms a rigid structure in which pivotal movement of the L-shaped members relatively to the support members is prevented.

4. A frame as claimed in Claim 2, in

which the said socket is formed by a section of tubing attached to and extending parallel to the corresponding limb of the support structure.

5. A frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 2 or 4, in which the said supporting structure comprises two inverted Ushaped members intended for assembly with the bases of the U-shaped members attached crosswise and forming the said limbs of the support structure, the depending legs of the U-shaped members forming the legs of the seat.

6. A frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1-4, in which the said supporting structure comprises four generally C-shaped members which are secured together at their mid-parts to form a cruciform arrangement in plan, the upper ends of the C-shaped members supporting the seat base and two adjacent said upper ends forming the said limbs to which the L-shaped members are attached.

7. A seat incorporating a seat frame as claimed in any one of Claims 1-6.

8. A seat structure substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A seat structure substantially as described herein with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.