GB2028643A

GB2028643A - Article of furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2028643A
Application number: GB7834688A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: KERON Ltd
Current assignee: KERON Ltd
Priority date: 1978-08-25
Filing date: 1978-08-25
Publication date: 1980-03-12

Abstract

An article of furniture, e.g. a chair, intended for supply in disassembled form has two tubular frame elements (1, 4), of which one may comprise a base frame and the other may support a back rest. One frame element (1) has attached thereto a tubular socket (3) which receives the other frame element (4) rotatably and slidably therein. When the article is disassembled the two frame elements (1, 4) may be folded to lie alongside one another. When the article is assembled the two elements are unfolded and are retained in relatively extended positions by means of a turned over lug. The lug on the one hand prevents withdrawal of the other element (4) from its socket (3) and on the other prevents relative sliding movement of the two elements by engagement with the underside of a further element, e.g. a seat support, secured to the one element (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Article of furniture This invention concerns an article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in knock-down form for assembly by the purchaser.

Patent Specification No. 5912/78 describes a chair of which the frame is so constructed that it can be folded into a compact form for transport and can then be assembled into a stable condition in a simple manner and with few fastenings. In one embodiment of the chair described therein the structure of the frame comprises two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket.In such an arrangement, it has been found that despite a geometrically stable arrangement of the frame, the elements contained within the tubular socket still tend, in use, to move axially within the sockets so that the intended shape of the frame is not maintained.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage.

In accordance with the invention there is provided an article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in disassembled or knock-down form, and comprising two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket, characterised in that the said other frame element is provided with a turned-over lug at the extremity which extends through said socket the said lug being so arranged that it both prevents withdrawal of the frame element and, when the article is assembled, engages the underside of said platform element to prevent axial movement of the frame element relatively to the socket.

Preferably the said socket is so arranged with its axis inclined relatively to the intended plane of the said platform element that in the assembled condition of the article any tendency of the said other frame element to move axially inward relatively to the socket promotes firmer engagement of the lug with the platform element.

The invention is iilustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair frame in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of two elements of the frame of Figure 1 shown in folded condition, and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the elements shown in the relative positions adopted when the chair is assembled.

Referring to Figure 1,there is shown a chair of the kind described in Patent Specification No. 5912/78, which comprises a pedestal formed by two Ushaped elements 1, which support a seat base 2 attached thereto by fixing screws 6. A back rest 5 is supported on uprights 4 of L-shaped configuration of which the lower ends engage in tubular sockets 3 attached to respective ones of the elements 1. The arrangement is such that before attachment of the base 2 and back rest 5 the uprights 4 can be pivoted and slid axially in the sockets 5 enabling folding of the frame for storage, whereas upon assembly of the base 2 and back rest 3 the frame forms a rigid unit.

Figures 2 and 3 show in more detail the relative positions of the elements 1 and 4 in the folded and assembled conditions respectively.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the axes of the sockets 3 are slightly inclined relatively to the axes of the elements 1, the angle of the L-shaped members 4 being slightly less than 90" so that while the uprights 4 lie parallel to legs 1A of the frame when folded, they are inclined to the rear when the seat is assembled. The members 4 are retained within the sockets 3 by turned-over lugs 4A which are located at the lower edges of the sockets 3 in Figure 2 and at the upper edges as shown in Figure 3.

For assembly of the chair, the seat base 2 is firstly assembled to the elements 1, whilst the elements 4 are extended from the sockets 3 but in the downward position. The elements 4 are then pivoted into the upright position and the seat back 5 is attached.

As shown in Figure 3, when the elements 4 are pivoted to the upright position the lugs 4A dig into the underside of the seat base 2 and thus retain the elements 4 in their axial positions. Moreover, due to the angled position of the sockets 3 any tendency of the members 4 to slide axially inwards during use of the seat is prevented as the lugs 4A only become more firmly embedded in the seat base.

1. An article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in disassembled or knock-down form, and comprising two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket, characterised in that the said other frame element is provided with a turned-over lug at the extremity which extends through said socket the

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Article of furniture This invention concerns an article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in knock-down form for assembly by the purchaser. Patent Specification No. 5912/78 describes a chair of which the frame is so constructed that it can be folded into a compact form for transport and can then be assembled into a stable condition in a simple manner and with few fastenings. In one embodiment of the chair described therein the structure of the frame comprises two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket.In such an arrangement, it has been found that despite a geometrically stable arrangement of the frame, the elements contained within the tubular socket still tend, in use, to move axially within the sockets so that the intended shape of the frame is not maintained. It is accordingly an object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage. In accordance with the invention there is provided an article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in disassembled or knock-down form, and comprising two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket, characterised in that the said other frame element is provided with a turned-over lug at the extremity which extends through said socket the said lug being so arranged that it both prevents withdrawal of the frame element and, when the article is assembled, engages the underside of said platform element to prevent axial movement of the frame element relatively to the socket. Preferably the said socket is so arranged with its axis inclined relatively to the intended plane of the said platform element that in the assembled condition of the article any tendency of the said other frame element to move axially inward relatively to the socket promotes firmer engagement of the lug with the platform element. The invention is iilustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair frame in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of two elements of the frame of Figure 1 shown in folded condition, and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the elements shown in the relative positions adopted when the chair is assembled. Referring to Figure 1,there is shown a chair of the kind described in Patent Specification No. 5912/78, which comprises a pedestal formed by two Ushaped elements 1, which support a seat base 2 attached thereto by fixing screws 6. A back rest 5 is supported on uprights 4 of L-shaped configuration of which the lower ends engage in tubular sockets 3 attached to respective ones of the elements 1. The arrangement is such that before attachment of the base 2 and back rest 5 the uprights 4 can be pivoted and slid axially in the sockets 5 enabling folding of the frame for storage, whereas upon assembly of the base 2 and back rest 3 the frame forms a rigid unit. Figures 2 and 3 show in more detail the relative positions of the elements 1 and 4 in the folded and assembled conditions respectively. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the axes of the sockets 3 are slightly inclined relatively to the axes of the elements 1, the angle of the L-shaped members 4 being slightly less than 90" so that while the uprights 4 lie parallel to legs 1A of the frame when folded, they are inclined to the rear when the seat is assembled. The members 4 are retained within the sockets 3 by turned-over lugs 4A which are located at the lower edges of the sockets 3 in Figure 2 and at the upper edges as shown in Figure 3. For assembly of the chair, the seat base 2 is firstly assembled to the elements 1, whilst the elements 4 are extended from the sockets 3 but in the downward position. The elements 4 are then pivoted into the upright position and the seat back 5 is attached. As shown in Figure 3, when the elements 4 are pivoted to the upright position the lugs 4A dig into the underside of the seat base 2 and thus retain the elements 4 in their axial positions. Moreover, due to the angled position of the sockets 3 any tendency of the members 4 to slide axially inwards during use of the seat is prevented as the lugs 4A only become more firmly embedded in the seat base. CLAIMS

1. An article of furniture of the kind intended for supply in disassembled or knock-down form, and comprising two tubular frame elements of which one has attached thereto a tubular socket in the form of a sleeve for receiving the other as a rotatable and axially sliding fit therein, the said other being retained within the socket by an extremity thereof which extends through the sleeve, the arrangement being such that, when the article is assembled the said one frame element receives thereon a platform element, such as a seat support, which overlies the said socket, and the said other element is intended to be retained in an axially extended position relatively to the socket, characterised in that the said other frame element is provided with a turned-over lug at the extremity which extends through said socket the said lug being so arranged that it both prevents withdrawal of the frame element and, when the article is assembled, engages the underside of said platform element to prevent axial movement of the frame element relatively to the socket.

2. An article as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said socket is so arranged with its axis inclined relatively to the intended plane of the said platform element that in the assembled condition of the article any tendency of the said other frame element to move axially inward relatively to the socket promotes firmer engagement of the lug with the platform element.

3. An article as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, being a chair, stool, or other seat construction, wherein the said one frame element comprises one of two similar elements arranged to extend at an angle to one another in order to provide support for the seat base, and the said other frame element comprises one of two similar L-shaped members arranged to provide support for a back rest, one limb of the said L-shaped frame element being engaged within the said tubular socket of the said other frame element, in such a manner that, from a position in which the two limbs of the L iie alongside the said one tubular frame element it can be pivoted and axially extended relatively to said socket into an upright position in which it supports the seat back rest, the arrangement being such that with the said other element, on the one hand, attached to the seat base and the said one element, on the other hand, attached to the seat back rest, the assembled article forms a rigid structure in which pivotal movement of the respective frame elements is prevented.

4. A chair substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. The features as herein described, or their equivalents,in any novel selection.